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THE  UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

LIBRARY 


THE  WILMER  COLLECTION 

OF  CIVIL  WAR  NOVELS 

PRESENTED  BY 

RICHARD  H.  WILMER,  JR. 


WlLMtiK  COU-fcC  U!0^ 


IN   BLUE   UNIFORM 


In   Blue  Uniform 


AN  ARMY  NOyEL 


BY 

GEORGE   I.   PUTNAM 


NEW  YORK 
CHARLES   SCRIBNER'S  SONS 

1893 


COPYRIGHT,    1893,    BY 
CHARLES  SCRIBNER'S  SONS, 


DEDICATION 

My  dear  Melville  Upton  :  — 

In  offering  you  this  book  1  come  not  as  one  exalting 
his  gifts,  but  rather  as  one  making  sincere  acknowledg- 
ment of  service  done.  While  the  work  involved  has  all 
been  mine,  it  was  yours  to  perform  that  primary  and 
necessary  office  best  described  as  "touching  the  button." 
For  without  the  energetic  impulse  imparted  by  your  vigor- 
ous nature,  the  book  had  never  been  written.  Some  who 
will  read  the  book  may  regard  your  act  with  distrust ; 
I  can  at  least  assure  them  that  your  motive  was  good.  But 
whether  you  have  done  well  or  ill  it  shall  be  far  from  me 
to  declare.  I  can  do  no  more  than  affirm  the  pleasure 
it  gives  me  to  thus  make  you,  in  a  way,  joint-heir  with 
me  in  the  mingled  favor  and  disfavor  that  the  book  will 
surely  find. 


GEORGE   I.   PUTNAM. 


Charlestown,  New  Hampshire, 
Aprils,  1893. 


I 


Digitized  by  tine  Internet  Arciiive 

in  2010  witii  funding  from 

University  of  Nortii  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


http://www.archive.org/details/inblueuniformarmOOputn 


IN   BLUE   UNIFORM 


STATEMENT 

This  is  a  story  of  the  Old  Regiment. 
Every. man  and  woman  will  know  which  that 
is ;  and  yet  no  two  will  be  likely  to  agree. 
For  though  there  have  been  and  still  are  real- 
ments  upon  regiments,  but  one  holds  to  each 
of  us  the  proud  pre-eminence  of  being  the 
Old  Regiment.  That  is  its  title  of  flattering- 
distinction,  its  mark  of  affectionate  regard. 
■For  official  purposes,  let  it  be  designated  by 
a  number,  something  between  one  and  twentj^- 
flve,  —  for  this  shall  be  an  infantry  regiment, 
most  of  us  being  foot-soldiers,  —  but  the 
number  never  will  get  beyond  officedom. 
Let  two  crutch-supported  veterans  of  a 
younger  day  meet  and  compare  notes.  "  What 
was  your  regiment?"  says  one.  "After  I 
was  promoted  to  Major  I  served  with  the 
so-and-so;  but  my  fighting  days  were  spent 
1 


2  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

in  the  Old  Regiment."  That  is  his  sufficient 
claim  to  distinction  and  preferment. 

In  the  time  of  which  I  write  the  Old  Regi- 
ment was  furbishing  up  its  battered  accoutre- 
ments after  one  campaign,  and  getting  itself 
in  handsome  trim  for  another.  This  was  an 
occupation  that  palled  upon  it  after  a  little, 
for  it  smacked  of  the  smug  safety  of  civil  life. 
Its  forte  lay  in  the  field.  It  had  a  way  of 
CToinof  forth  with  more  cartrido^es  and  men 
than  another  regiment,  and  of  coming  back 
with  fewer.  That  was  why  all  the  young 
men  with  a  life  apiece  to  throw  away  quickly, 
made  haste  to  enlist  with  the  Old  Regiment. 
But  now  its  chief  end  seemed  to  be  to  draw 
an  oiled  rag  through  a  shiny  gun-barrel — an 
occupation  for  old  soldiers  with  a  satiated 
taste  for  fighting.  And  garrison  days  were 
unconscionably  long  in  coming  to  an  end. 

The  headquarters  were  at  a  post  on  a  west 
Texas  prairie.  Here  were  six  companies  out 
of  the  ten,  and  a  troop  of  cavalry.  Brave, 
decrepit  old  Colonel  Randelmann  was  in 
command,  with  portly,  empurpled  Major 
Remmick  second.  It  was  isolated,  as  army 
posts  usually  were ;  but  the  army  being  at 
all  time  sufficient  unto  itself,  the  Old  Regi- 


IN   BLUE    UNIFORM  3 

ment  did  not  care.  It  was  a  good  station, 
as  stations  went,  and  assignment  to  it  was 
regarded  as  a  mark  of  favor.  The  Old  Reg- 
iment always  made  the  best  of  ever3-thing, 
and  accordingly  appreciated  its  temporary 
home. 

A  long,  low  row  of  dingy  brown  cottages 
made  up  the  officers'  quarters,  and  were 
known  collectively  as  the  "Line."  One 
could  stand  at  either  end  on  a  day  when  the 
piazzas  were  occupied,  and  have  a  clear  view 
of  each  cottage  and  family  to  the  other.  The 
builders  had  used  a  rough  native  stone,  and 
chinked  it  with  native  mud.  From  the  ma- 
jority of  chinks  the  mud  had  fallen ;  so  that 
each  dust-storm  was  necessarily  followed  by 
a  fierce  day  of  house-cleaning.  These  open- 
ings also  gave  free  entrance  to  the  native 
vermin  of  the  land  —  to  centipedes,  scorpions, 
and  tarantulas ;  but  the  Old  Regiment  was 
accustomed  to  more  dangerous  and  insidious 
foes,  and  sat  undisturbed.  The  Line  extended 
the  length  of  the  parade,  and  was  faced  on 
the  opposite  side  by  the  men's  barracks,  also 
of  stone,  with  long  porches.  The  men  sat 
there  of  an  evening,  and  their  pipes  glowed 
through  the  dusk.     And  in  hot  weather  they 


4  IJSr    BLUE    UNIFORM 

swung  hammocks  from  the  porch  roof,  and 
slept  there  through  the  night.  Behin'd  the 
barracks  was  yet  another  row  of  weather-worn 
cottages,  occupied  by  married  soldiers.  Their 
wives  were  generally  laundresses,  except  in 
the  cases  of  exalted  non-commissioned  officers, 
and  gave  to  this  section  of  the  settlement  the 
name  of  "  Calico  Row."  Beyond,  there  were 
the  adobe  walls  of  the  corrals,  with  the 
stables,  the  hay-  and  wood-yards,  and  the 
world  over  which  the  quartermaster  held 
sway.  Quite  independent  was  the  Old  Regi- 
ment in  its  girt-about  station. 

It  was  an  admirable  parade  ground  on 
which  the  quarters  looked ;  as  level  as  a  floor 
and  liable  in  wet  seasons  to  be  transformed 
into  a  shallow,  wadable  lake,  to  the  great 
delight  of  the  children.  The  water  disap- 
peared quickly,  and  the  grass  came  up  short 
and  thick,  and  of  a  delicate  green,  as  became 
its  quick  growth.  It  would  be  dotted  with 
prairie  flowers  of  various  tints,  blooming  but 
for  a  day,  and  without  fragrance.  As  the 
hot  sun  scorched  the  grass,  and  the  feet  of 
tramping  men  thinned  it,  multitudes  of  cir- 
cular holes  the  size  of  a  lead-pencil  appeared 
in  the  soil.     These  were  the  entrances  to  the 


IN    BLUE    UNIF0B2T  5 

chambers  of  tarantulas,  and  endless  fun  did 
the  garrison  children  have  around  and  about 
them. 

From  the  centre  of  the  parade  rose  the  tall, 
tapering  flagstaff,  wavering  from  the  plumb, 
and  leaning  heavily  on  its  Inany  props  like  an 
old  soldier  on  his  crutches.  It  had  seen  its 
best  days,  and  was  an  object  of  solicitude. 
Near  it  was  a  square  upraise  of  stone,  on 
which  the  sundial  was  placed.  Regularly, 
with  the  anticipated  arrival  from  West  Point 
of  a  newly  fledged  Second  Lieutenant,  the 
old  sundial  was  destroyed ;  and  the  first  duty 
required  of  him  was  to  build  another. 

"  A  sundial ! "  he  exclaimed  in  dismay, 
vaguely  remembering  that  some  mention  of 
such  a  tiling  had  been  made  at  the  Academy, 
"  What  on  earth  is  wanted  of  a  sundial  ?  " 

"  To  tell  the  time  with,"  was  the  curt  reply. 

"  But  what's  the  matter  with  your  clocks  ?  " 

"  Such  a  misfortune  !  They  are  all  unreli- 
able, and  the  best  have  been  allowed  to  run 
down.  We  have  no  way  of  telling  the  cor- 
rect time ;  we  are  living  by  guess.  You  are 
just  the  man  for  us  —  fresh  from  the  Acad- 
emy ;  you  will  know  exactly  how  to  build  a 
sundial,  and  set  us  on  our  feet  again  !  " 


6  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

Two  antique  pieces  of  field  artillery  stood 
in  front  of  the  headquarters  building,  and  an 
ordnance  sergeant  was  maintained  to  care  for 
them.  The  morning  and  evening  guns  were 
his  particular  function.  With  infinite  care, 
lest  there  should  be  a  grain  too  much  for  the 
old  guns,  he  would  weigh  out  the  powder 
charge,  tie  it  methodically  in  the  cartridge- 
bag,  ram  it  down  the  throat  of  the  gun  with 
a  stated  number  of  motions,  prick  it  twice  — 
never  more  or  less — insert  the  friction  primer 
and  jerk  the  lanyard,  while  the  gun  roared 
through  all  the  length  and  breadth  of  the 
post,  and  the  flag  fluttered  up  or  down  its 
staff.  He  was  a  creature  of  mechanical  meth- 
ods, was  the  ordnance  sergeant,  and  had  more 
spare  time  than  any  other  man.  Yet  he  al- 
ways maintained  a  pleasing  fiction  of  being 
busy  on  official  matters,  insomuch  that  his 
large,  perspiring  wife,  who  had  charge  of  the 
bachelor  officers'  mess,  could  never  count  upon 
him  for  the  least  assistance.  She  believed  im- 
plicitly in  his  labors,  and  was  often  indignant 
at  a  government  that  required  such  steady  ap- 
plication from  its  soldiers  and  paid  them  so 
poorly  for  it ;  and  she  took  into  her  service 
one  Mezique,  a  comely  negro  ex-trooper,  a 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  7 

"left-over"  from  the  last  garrison.  For  some 
reason,  probably  no  more  distant  than  the 
sutler's  bar-room,  he  had  not  been  re-enlisted. 
So  he  remained  behind  when  the  colored  cav- 
alry rode  away,  and  snapped  his  fingers  at 
destiny.  He  was  a  hunter,  knew  every  wild- 
turkey  roost  in  the  region,  and  brought  many 
a  fine  bird  to  the  bachelors'  table.  His  sole 
remaining  purpose  in  life  seemed  to  be  the 
raising  of  pointer  puppies,  which  he  presented 
feelingly  to  officers  yet  unwary — and  later 
borrowed  from  them  in  sums  of  five  dollars 
each.  Thus  did  he  manage  to  exist  with  a 
maximum  of  comfort,  and  to  know  more  days 
of  leisure  than  of  labor. 

The  sheep  and  goats  were  divided  as  by  a 
great  gulf  along  the  length  of  the  parade. 
One  side  was  to  the  commissioned  strength, 
the  other  to  the  enlisted.  Across  this  gulf 
only  the  strictest  official  intercourse  was  sanc- 
tioned. Unbending  orders  were  given  to  the 
offspring  of  either  side  ;  and  it  was  only  when 
the  officers'  children  were  unusually  wicked, 
or  the  soldiers'  children  unusually  daring, 
that  they  came  together  on  childhood's  terms 
of  democratic  equality.  Even  the  dogs  of  the 
two  halves   recognized   the   distinction,  and 


8  IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM 

bore  each  other  an  impLacable  hatred.  Let 
an  officer's  dog  encroach  the  least  trifle  on 
the  thither  side  of  the  parade,  and  barracks 
resounded  with  the  war-cries  of  sokliers'  dogs 
rushing  upon  him.  Then  the  invader  turned 
tail  and  incontinently  fled  to  his  own  domain, 
unless  supports  were  at  hand,  when  a  battle 
royal  would  ensue.  And  similarly,  no  bar- 
rack dog  ever  prowled  bone-seeking  about 
the  officers'  kitchens.  Each  set  had  its  own 
hunting-ground,  and  kept  jealously  to  it. 

Despite  its  inaction,  the  Old  Regiment  was 
happy.  It  was  in  a  land  of  delights  for  the 
hearty  and  open-handed.  Fine  fishing  and 
hunting  abounded  without  the  limits  of  the 
post.  The  shot-gun  was  busy  near  at  hand, 
and  farther  away,  in  sundry  canons  and  along 
strange  water-courses,  the  rifle  brought  down 
large  game.  There  were  houses  to  live  in, 
and  families  were  brought  out  from  the  states 
and  installed  in  them.  .The  blue  of  sky 
overhung  the  green  of  earth,  with  the  gay 
banner  of  the  army's  love  flying  mid-between. 
The  bugle  called  to  duty,  not  danger.  Life 
became  placid.  A  chief  excitement  lay  in 
visits  to  a  little  town  that  had  sprung  up 
under  the  protecting  presence  of   the  post, 


IN    BLUE    UNIFOnM  9 

but  even  tliat  was  tame.  The  life  of  the 
army  lay  within  itself,  and  every  going  be- 
yond the  garrison  gates  was  a  trip  into  a 
foreign  country.  The  birds  flew  unceasingly 
in  circles  above,  and  the  water  of  the  creek 
rippled  forever  past ;  but  the  Old  Regiment 
sat  in  its  station,  resting.  It  had  its  seasons 
and  its  changes,  and  now  had  come  the  day 
of  retrospective  quiet. 


The  set  of  quarters  occupied  by  Major 
Remmick  was  half-way  down  the  Line,  and 
dominated  the  others  b}^  a  full  half-story. 
For  this  was  a  two-story  house ;  the"  others, 
even  that  of  Colonel  Bruff,  the  new  com- 
manding ofificer,  boasted  but  a  story  and  a 
half.  The  Major  and  Mrs.  Remmick  were 
the  least  bit  in  the  world  proud  and  satisfied 
that  they  had  been  able  to  retain  this  set 
through  the  changes  consequent  upon  the 
retirement  for  disability  of  old  Colonel  Ran- 
delmann  and  the  coming  of  the  new  Colonel 
to  his  kingdom. 

Colonel  Randelmann  had  been  a  bachelor, 
a  man  from  the  volunteers,  and  one  of  the 
simplest  minded,  most  honorable  men  that 
came  acceptably  through  the  fierce  winnow- 
ing of  the  Civil  War.  He  was  one  of  tliose 
few  whom  the  curt  record  of  the  annual  Army 
Register  shows  to  have  enlisted  in  '61  as  a 
private,  and  to  have  graduated  in  '65  as  a 
10 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  11 

brigadier-  or  major-general  of  volunteers.  But 
fi'om  having  been  an  insatiable  fighting  man 
in  his  youth,  in  his  age  he  had  contracted  an 
intolerable  habit  of  campaigning  to  whoso 
might  be  found  to  listen.  The  daily  duty 
in  consequence  of  which  he  swung  his  stiff 
wooden  peg  over  the  parade  ground,  from 
his  quarters  to  the  office  and  back,  was 
scrupulously  performed ;  but  the  trip  had  ac- 
quired for  him  the  perils  of  a  flank  movement 
in  the  face  of  the  enemy.  He  prosed  of  past 
deeds,  and  not  infrequently  forgot  his  in- 
ability to  do  others  like  them.  In  despite  of 
this  forgetfulness,  or  perhaps  in  consequence 
of  it,  he  was  shelved  upon  the  retired  list. 
It  nearly  broke  the  old  soldier's  heart.  The 
years  of  his  service  seemed  very  few  and  in- 
complete as  viewed  from  the  large  end.  But 
if  he  sorrowed,  the  regiment  rejoiced  with 
a  chastened  joy.  Colonel  Randelmann  was 
well  liked,  and  the  regiment  had  been  proud 
to  be  commanded  by  a  man  with  so  excellent 
a  record.  But»  his  departure  meant  the  com- 
ing of  a  younger  man,  with  probably  increased 
activity  in  service  for  all.  So  Colonel  Ran- 
delmann vacated  his  end  set  of  quarters,  and 
was  escorted  from  the  fjarrison  to  the  mellow 


12  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

notes  of  trumpets  that  were  quite  as  ready  to 
send  forth  triumphant  Wasts  upon  the  first 
sight  in  the  distance  of  his  successor.  Colonel 
Randelmann  had  been  in  the  array  years 
enough  to  know  this  Avas  the  inevitable ;  he 
accepted  it  with  bowed  head,  and  went  his 
Avay. 

"  Now,"  said  Mrs.  Remmick  to  the  INIajor, 
"  we  might  just  as  well  make  up  our  minds 
to  being  ranked  out  of  quarters.  This  is  the 
best  set  in  the  post,  and  it  isn't  likely  that 
Mrs.  Bruff  will  be  satisfied  Avith  anything 
short  of  that." 

"I  suppose  not,"  said  the  Major,  with  regret. 

"  Then,  of  course,  it  will  shift  along  down 
through  all  the  officers.  Every  one  will  have 
to  move." 

"  Got  your  eye  on  the  set  you'll  take,  eh  ?  " 
inquired  the  Major. 

"  We  shall  certainly  follow  the  example  of 
our  seniors,  and  take  the  best  we  can  get, 
Major;  and  that  will  be  Captain  Eagan's." 

"  That's  right.  Everybody  will  drop  a 
notch,  and  the  nih  man  Avill  choose  between 
a  tent  and  a  garret,"  remarked  the  Major, 
with  pleasant  forethouglit.  He  was  a  true 
disciple  of  the  principle  of  army  etiquette,  by 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  13 

which  every  newcomer  at  a  post  may  seize 
upon  the  quarters  of  any  officer  below  him  in 
rank,  and  cause  an  upheaval  all  through  the 
lower  part  of  the  Line.  "  Eagan  will  rank 
out  Barrett,  and  he  the  next,  and  so  down  to 
L3'ndon;  and  then  the  lieutenants  will  take 
a  shuflle." 

A  knock  was  at  the  door.  "  Hello ! " 
shouted  the  Major.  "Come  in!"  Captain 
Lyndon  entered. 

"  Good  evening,  Captain,"  said  the  Major 
and  Mrs.  Remmick  in  concert.  He  was  well 
liked  by  both.  Mrs.  Remmick,  with  busy 
hospitality,  insisted  upon  the  most  comfort- 
able chair  for  the  caller,  and  trundled  it  forth 
for  him.  He  accepted  it  with  the  slight 
embarrassment  that  might  be  looked  for  in 
a  man  accustomed  to  sit  on  cracker-boxes 
with  a  luxurious  sense  of  satisfaction.  Major 
Remmick  laughed  in  good-natured  commen- 
tary upon  his  wife's  endeavors. 

"  I've  seen  the  time  when  the  ground  was 
good  enough  for  Lyndon,"  said  he.  Lyndon 
laughed  with  him  at  the  memory  of  old  cam- 
paigning days. 

"  Yes,  and  you  too,"  said  he. 

"It  isn't  good  enough  now  for  either  of 


14  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

you,"  Mrs.  Remmick  declared.  "  You  are  in 
garrison,  where  it's  your  business  to  be  com- 
fortable in  a  civilized  way.  You  are  not 
hunting  Indians  —  or  being  hunted  by  them." 
She  concluded  with  a  pleased  expression  that 
indicated  her  joy  in  all  her  surroundings. 

"  And  yet  we  may  be  on  the  hunt  to-mor- 
row—  for  quarters,"  said  the  Major,  unable 
to  get  away  from  the  train  of  thought  started 
by  his  wife. 

"  That's  so,"  ejaculated  Lyndon,  as  though 
suddenly  recalling  a  fact.  "  The  new  C.  O. 
is  due  then,  isn't  he,  with  bag  and  baggage, 
wife  and  maid?  Where  do  you  expect  the 
lightning  to  strike  ?  " 

"•  Right  here  in  our  midst,"  said  the  Major, 
with  solemn  satisfaction.  "Mrs.  Remmick  has 
the  thing  definitely  settled.  We  are  to  start 
tlie  ball  rolling,  and  you  will  see  a  very  pretty 
burst  of  speed  when  it  gets  down  among  the 
lieutenants.  We  can  have  no  gain  without 
some  small  loss,  and  according  to  Mrs.  Rem- 
mick in  this  case  we  gain  one  colonel,  and 
lose  one  set  of  quarters  all  'round." 

Mrs.  Remmick  raised  one  finger,  and  called 
out  warningly,  "  Now,  Major,  I'm  not  so  bad 
as  that."     She  continued  to  Captain  Lyndon, 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  15 

"  I  am  hoping  some  one  will  take  that  vacant 
set  Colonel  Ilandelmann  had  and  so  stop  the 
trouble  ;  for  indeed  it  is  a  great  trouble,  just 
as  you  are  settled  in  your  quarters  to  have 
some  one  come  along  and  turn  you  out." 

"  I  agree  with  you,"  said  Lyndon.  "  It 
might  seem  that  the  more  pay  and  the  more 
rank  a  man  gets,  the  more  careful  he  should 
be  about  inconveniencing  and  annoying  others. 
But  somehow,  when  we  come  to  the  question 
of  choosing  quarters,  that  pretty  theory  is  lost 
sight  of." 

"  Perhaps  you  would  do  away  with  the 
choosing  of  quarters  altogether,"  said  the 
Major,  skeptically. 

"  Yes,  I  believe  I  would.  The  pay  and 
allowances  that  go  with  long  years  of  service 
and  increased  rank  are  all  right ;  a  man  earns 
all  he  gets.  But  this  other  question  presents 
itself  to  me  as  a  mere  matter  of  selfishness. 
These  houses,  all  very  much  alike,  are  built 
by  the  government  for  the  use  of  its  officers, 
and  I  do  not  recognize  it  as  a  fact  that  any 
outward  circumstance  gives  one  man  prece- 
dence over  another  in  choice." 

He  spoke  quite  dispassionately,  but  the 
sentiment  was  not  pleasing  to  the  Major. 


16  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"  It  is  hardly  so  much  a  matter  of  selfish- 
ness as  of  convenience,  Lj-nclon,"  said  he. 
"  When  a  station  is  newly  garrisoned,  much 
worry  and  irritation  is  avoided  by  having 
quarters  taken  in  succession  from  the  ranking 
officer  down." 

"  It  could  be  settled  by  lot  quite  as  satis- 
factorily. But  that  is  not  this  case.  Major. 
Here  we  have  a  garrison  nicely  settled,  and 
the  coming  of  one  man  may  change  the  entire 
face  of  it." 

"  It  is  his  privilege,  and  I  would  not  deny 
him  the  exercise  of  it,"  said  the  Major,  some- 
what stiftly.  Mrs.  Remmick  interposed  to 
check  his  humor. 

"  The  Major  expects  to  be  a  colonel  some 
day  himself,"  said  she  in  a  half-aside  to  Lyn- 
don. Remmick  laughed  as  heartily  then  as 
either  of  them,  though  not  so  much  at  hav- 
ing remotely  selfish  motives  attributed  to  his 
argument  as  at  the  faint  shadow  of  a  coming 
colonelcy.  But  this  was  very  well  under- 
stood. Similarly,  Lyndon  had  hopes  of  be- 
coming a  major. 

"  I  hope  I  may  live  to  see  the  day,  and  if 
he  ranks  me  out,  I  shall  bear  him  no  ill-will," 
Lyndon  declared  heartily.     "  But  at  the  same 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  17 

time  I  should  feel  bound  to  protest  against 
the  system.  If  the  Major  had  been  sitting  in 
this  chair  when  I  came  in,  and  I  had  said, 
'  Give  me  that  chair ;  I  prefer  it  to  any  other 
in  the  room,'  I  should  only  have  illustrated 
the  working  of  the  system." 

"  Xot  altogether,"  said  the  Major,  mightily 
pleased  to  score  a  fine  point.  "  Not  a  perfect 
illustration.  You  wouldn't  have  got  it.  I 
am  the  ranking  officer." 

"  Well,  if  you  came  to  my  quarters  and 
demanded  my  chair,  then." 

"  That's  inadmissible,  too,  because  I  should 
never  think  of  doing  such  a  thing.  That  is 
not  army  usage;  it  is  not  even  common 
courtesy." 

"  For  my  part,"  said  Mrs.  Remmick,  "  I 
think  courtesy  should  take  precedence  over 
the  rights  of  rank.     Don't  you.  Captain?" 

"Its  assumed  rights — yes.  Courtesy  be- 
fore all.  Major,  I  am  corrected.  I  should 
not  wait  for  you  to  demand  my  chair;  I 
should  hasten  to  offer  it  to  you." 

A  pleased  murmur  of  approval  greeted 
this  statement  of  Lyndon's. 

"  Ye-es,  courtesy  is  a  good  thing ;  it's  all 
right,"    conceded    the    Major,   after   a   little 


18  IK    BLUE    UNIFORM 

pause ;  "  but  I  believe  in  usage  and  the 
Regulations.  Of  course,  if  you  can  do  any- 
thing for  another  without  incommoding  your- 
self—" 

"  Oh,  Major !  Where  is  your  sense  of  hos- 
pitality !  "  screamed  Mrs.  Remmick,  in  dis- 
may. 

"It  wouldn't  be  courtesy  then,  I  fear," 
said  Lyndon.  "  Now  we  have  time  and  again 
seen  some  new  lieutenant,  whose  rank  hardly 
entitled  him  to  a  tent  on  the  parade,  come 
out  with  a  wife,  and  no  place  to  put  her; 
harboring  a  general  trust  in  the  harmony  of 
the  world  and  the  love  all  people  must  bear 
them,  by  virtue  of  their  loving  each  other. 
Oddly,  as  it  may  seem,  that  trust  is  not  alto- 
gether misplaced ;  for  just  as  often  we  have 
seen  senior  officers  —  bachelors,  of  course  — 
give  up  their  own  comfortable  quarters  and 
crowd  themselves  into  uncomfortable  spaces, 
simply  as  a  matter  of  courtesy.  The  new 
man  had  no  choice  of  quarters ;  they  would 
give  him  a  set  of  their  own.  The  young 
couple  probably  do  not  fully  appreciate  such 
kindness  till  they  have  had  years  of  the  life, 
and  the  army  has  been  rubbed  into  their  veiy 
grain.     But  it  is  done,  year  after  year." 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  19 

"  That  is  so,"  said  ]\Irs.  Remmick,  with  an 
approving  nod  of  the  head. 

"  Yes.  It  takes  off  what  I  suppose  you 
would  call  the  curse  of  the  system,  too,"  said 
the  Major. 

"  Why,  partly,"  consented  Lyndon.  "  Only 
some  fellows  get  tired  of  doing  it  in  the 
course  of  years.  They  take  their  quarters 
and  stick  to  them,  unless  ranked  out." 

"  Well,"  observed  Mrs.  Remmick,  after  a 
pause,  during  which  the  two  officers  had 
made  a  trip  to  the  sideboard  in  the  dining- 
room,  clinked  glasses,  and  returned  with 
a  fresh  cigar  apiece,  "as  I  said,  I  hope  we 
won't  be  ranked  out." 

"  Did  you  say  that,  my  dear  ? "  inquired 
the  Major. 

"Why,  yes  —  or  I  meant  it,  anyway.  We 
are  all  so  nicely  fixed  now,  and  I  had  asked 
Millicent  out  for  a  visit.  A  niece  of  ours, 
Captain,"  she  continued,  turning  to  Lyndon. 
"  She  has  never  seen  an  army  post,  and  she's 
said  to  be  a  very  pretty  girl,  by  her  photo- 
graph." 

"  Oh,  this  is  she,"  said  Lyndon,  making  two 
steps  to  the  mantel  and  openly  admiring  a 
likeness  he  had  already  glanced  at  several 


20  IN   BLUE    UNIFORM 

times.  "  She  is  pretty,  indeed.  What  is  her 
name,  Mrs.  Remmick  ?  " 

"  Millicent  Harding.  She  is  a  daughter  of 
my  brother,  and  botli  her  parents  are  dead. 
She  has  been  studying  art  in  Paris  and  New 
York,  and  I  haven't  seen  her  in  years.  Now 
she  is  alone,  I  think  I  have  a  duty  towards 
her.  And  besides  that,  I  really  want  to  see 
her." 

"  It's  another  case  of  the  army  sister-in-law, 
Lyndon,"  said  the  Major,  cheerily. 

But  Mrs.  Remmick  very  properly  objected 
to  such  sentiments. 

"  Major !  How  can  you !  Millicent  is  a 
sweet,  lovely  girl.  I  think  the  last  time  we 
were  on  leave  you  thought  more  of  her  than 
3'ou  did  of  me.  And  she's  perfectly  devoted 
to  her  art." 

"  Regularly  wedded  to  it,"  coincided  the 
Major.  "Suppose  she  will  bring  it  with 
her?"    But  Mrs.  Remmick  ignored  him. 

"  I  shouldn't  have  much  hope  of  her  com- 
ing if  it  were  not  for  the  new  scenes  and 
ways  of  life  she  will  find  to  study,"  she  said. 
"She  will  be  no  burden  for  entertainment 
upon  you  bachelor  officers,  whatever  the 
Major  may  hint,  for  she  is  completely 
wrapped  up  in  her  work." 


IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM  21 

"  She'll  have  all  the  bachelors  in  garrison 
posing  for  her  pictures  before  she's  been  here 
a  week,"  the  Major  declared. 

"  Speaking  for  one  of  them,  I  don't  doubt 
it,"  said  Lyndon ;  and  the  frank  avowal 
caused  inquiring  smiles  from  both.  Captain 
Lyndon  was  not  regarded  as  a  garrison  gal- 
lant. He  was  in  no  way  a  ladies'  man.  At 
present  he  was  newly  promoted  to  a  cap- 
taincy, and  was  devoting  himself  to  his  com- 
pany in  a  way  that  called  forth  remark  from 
all.  When  he  declared  his  readiness  to  as- 
sume a  pose  at  the  will  of  an  unknown  girl 
artist,  his  speech  was  open  to  a  suspicion  of 
cynicism. 

"  At  any  rate,"  he  said,  as  he  rose  to  take 
his  leave,  "  I  hope  you  will  not  be  disturbed 
in  your  comfortable  quarters,  and  that  your 
niece  may  make  as  intimate  a  study  of  army 
life  as  she  desires.  Now,"  he  added  to  him- 
self, "I  guess  I've  squared  myself  for  that 
break  about  ranking  out." 

The  next  afternoon,  as  he  was  passing 
Major  Remmick's  quarters,  Mrs.  Remmick 
came  out  on  the  porch  and  spoke  to  him. 

"  Of  course  you  know  Colonel  and  Mrs. 
Bruff  have  arrived  and  are  staying  with  us  ?  " 
she  asked. 


22  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"I  saw  their  ambulance  come  in  this  fore- 
noon," he  replied.  "  They  had  a  hard  ride 
from  the  railroad  ?  " 

"  Not  so  very."  She  came  down  the  steps 
and  spoke  in  a  low  tone.  "I  was  so  afraid 
she  would  want  these  quarters  when  she  saw 
them,  but  I  couldn't  do  less  than  ask  them 
here." 

"  That's  the  penalty  of  your  high  rank." 

"  Yes ;  but  she  isn't  going  to  take  them. 
They  have  decided  on  Colonel  Randelmann's 
old  set.     I'm  so  glad  ! " 

"  I  rejoice  with  you,  and  so  will  all  the  gar- 
rison. And  now  you  can  have  your  niece  — 
the  artist  —  " 

"  Millicent  Harding,"  she  prompted. 

"  Yes  —  Miss  Harding  —  " 

"  Got  a  letter  from  her  to-day.  She  will 
come.  Oh,  we  shall  be  very  gay  now.  Cap- 
tain." 

"I  believe  you.  One. girl  sometimes  goes 
a  long  way  towards  livening  up  a  post." 

"  That's  true  enough.  You  are  all  coming 
in  to-night  ?  " 

"  Every  one  of  us,  from  Eagan  down  to 
Wallace.  The  band  will  bray  on  the  parade  ; 
ice-cream    and   cake  will    be    served  —  Mrs. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  23 

Remmick  and  the  dairy  fates  willing ;  a  mas- 
ter of  ceremonies  will  run  affairs  ;  and  I  guess 
we'll  make  the  new  Colonel  think  he's  sti-uck 
the  finest  regiment  in  all  the  service." 

"As  indeed  he  has,"  said  Mrs.  Remmick, 
proudly. 

"  Amen  to  that !  "  cried  the  Captain,  pass- 
ing on. 


II 


There  was  no  doabtful  forecast  concern- 
ing the  success  of  the  reception  to  be  ten- 
dered the  new  Colonel  that  evening.  The 
regiment  had  as  deep  a  pride  in  its  social 
reputation  as  in  its  fighting  record,  and  this 
was  an  occasion  upon  which  it  was  ready  to 
expend  itself.  It  was  not  every  day  that  it 
got  a  new  commanding  officer,  and  when  it 
did,  it  thought  no  more  than  proper  to  give 
him  a  taste  of  its  quality,  so  that  he  might 
the  more  higlily  appreciate  his  own  rare  good 
fortune. 

And  Colonel  Bruff  had  a  reputation  of  his 
own  as  well.  He  was  known  as  one  of  the 
sternest,  most  uncompromising  old-line  fight- 
ers in  the  army,  a  man  with  a  rigid  sense  of 
justice,  and  an  impartial  dispenser  of  old 
army  discipline.  The  regiment  was  glad  to 
get  him,  and  glad  to  attest  its  joy.  Such  a 
man  was  bound  to  promote  the  efficiency  of 
any  command,  and  the  regiment  was  proud 
24 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  25 

to  be  considered  at  all  times  liiglily  efficient. 
There  was  no  division  of  sentiment  on  that 
point.  Where  the  honor  of  the  regiment  was 
concerned,  the  regiment  was  always  united. 
It  now  rose  to  a  point  of  social  honor.  It 
was  desirable  that  Mrs.  Bruff  should  admit 
that  the  regimental  ladies  entertained  more 
delightfully  than  those  in  less  favored  por- 
tions of  the  army,  and  that  Colonel  Bruff 
should  be  impressed  with  the  gallant  and 
courteous  bearing  of  his  officers.  Their  brav- 
ery was  a  matter  of  record,  and  if  Colonel 
Bruff  needed  to  be  refreshed  concerning  it, 
he  would  be  obliged  to  consult  the  record 
itself.  The  regiment  never  exaggerated  its 
old  dangers ;  it  spent  no  time  in  lauding  its 
old  glories ;  it  was  always  looking  up  and 
pushing  ahead  to  new  ones. 

The  bachelor  officers  assembled  at  their 
mess-room,  and  came  up  the  Line  to  Major 
Remmick's  in  a  body.  At  the  same  time  the 
married  men,  with  their  wives  and  daughters, 
came  from  their  quarters.  From  every  point 
of  the  garrison  wherein  the  commissioned 
strength  resided,  small  rivulets  of  blue  and 
gold  flowed,  uniting  in  the  effective  stream 
that  poured  through  Major  Remmick's  open 


•26  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

door.  The  word  having  ofone  forth  that  the 
reception  would  begin  at  a  certain  hour,  it 
began  at  that  hour,  —  not  a  moment  sooner 
or  hxter.  It  was  a  matter  of  pride  with  the 
regiment  that  this  should  be  so. 

"  But  talk  about  your  procrastination ! 
Punctuality  is  the  thief  of  my  time,"  breathed 
Wallace,  the  junior  lieutenant,  as  he  bound 
himself  about  with  a  gilded  belt  and  joined 
the  bachelors'  column. 

"  How  so  ?  "  demanded  the  man  next  him, 
vaguely. 

"  Because  I  was  counting  on  a  half-hour  in 
which  to  prink  and  make  myself  look  pretty, 
and  I  didn't  get  it,  you  were  so  confounded 
punctual.  It's  a  clear  case  of  robbery." 
Upon  this,  he  was  regarded  with  compassion- 
ate glances,  as  being  one  not  yet  addicted  to 
all  the  regimental  virtues. 

Captain  Eagan,  flanked  by  his  wife  and 
supported  by  two  daughters,  was  the  first  to 
pass  the  welcoming  door.  This  was  by  de- 
sign, as  he  was  the  next  lower  in  rank  to 
Major  Remmick.  Following  this  order  of 
seniority  came  the  captains,  from  Barrett 
down  to  Lyndon,  and  the  first  and  second 
lieutenants,  ending  with  Wallace. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  27 

Just  within  the  parlor  door  stood  Major 
Remmick,  very  purple  as  to  the  face,  owing 
to  his  tightly  buttoned  dress-coat.  Each 
succeeding  relay  was  received  by  him,  and  by 
him  presented  to  the  Colonel.  Then  they  were 
gently  forced  along  to  where  Mrs.  Remmick 
stood  with  Mrs.  Bruff.  Mrs.  Remmick  had 
not  asked  any  of  the  garrison  ladies  to  assist 
her  in  receiving,  because  she  regarded  Mrs. 
Eagan  as  unavailable,  being  a  cavalry 
woman  —  Captain  Eagan  commanded  the  sin- 
gle troop  of  cavalry  at  the  post.  And  having 
decided  against  the  highest  ranking  lady, 
she  would  not  pass  over  her,  and  take  regi- 
mental ladies  lower  in  rank.  This  was  well 
understood.  The  regimental  ladies  approved 
of  ]\Irs.  Eagan's  rejection,  and  of  the  delicate 
courtesy  toward  her  that  robbed  them  of 
invitations  to  assist ;  and  Mrs.  Eagan  herself, 
seeing  Mrs.  Remmick  receive  alone,  was 
mollified.  It  was  as  she  herself  would  have 
done. 

There  was  a  certain  stately  rhythm  and  pre- 
cision in  the  utterance  by  Major  Remmick  of 
the  rank  and  name  of  each  officer,  and  its 
repetition  by  Colonel  Bruif.  No  breath  was 
wasted ;  in  that  coat,  the  Major  had  none  to 


28  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

waste.  Thus,  from  the  Major :  ''  Captain 
Burns,  Mrs.  Burns."  And  from  the  Colonel : 
"  Good  evening.  Captain  Burns  ;  Mrs.  Burns, 
good  evening."  "  Captain  Lyndon."  "  Good 
evening,  Captain  Lyndon."  A  single  shake 
of  the  hand  from  each  to  each,  dealt  with 
military  exactness ;  no  favoritism.  "  Mr. 
Willard."  "Good  evening,  Mr.  Willard." 
The  Major  was  below  the  captains  now,  and 
in  conformity  with  army  custom  was  present- 
ing the  lieutenants  with  the  civilian  prefix, 
"Mr."  "Mr.  Thompson,  Dr.  Sanders,  Mr. 
Lawrence,  Mr.  Bates,  Mrs.  Bates,  Mr.  Mil- 
ler." And  so  in  slow  procession  to  the  last, 
when  the  Major  unbent.  "And  here's  the 
recruit,  Mr.  Wallace."  "You  have  the  left 
of  the  line,  Mr.  Wallace,"  said  the  Colonel, 
and  all  laughed  at  his  ready  application  of  a 
military  expression.  It  did  not  matter  that 
they  had  heard  it  similarly  used  many  times 
before.  Wallace  blushed  in  great  embarrass- 
ment under  the  unexpected  pleasantry  from 
a  notoriously  grim  old  disciplinarian.  A  lit- 
tle breath  of  relief  went  round  the  room,  and 
all  felt  that  the  reception  had  opened  very 
well  indeed. 

The  ordeal  of  presentation  passed,  the  good 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  29 

Major  stuck  liis  thumbs  in  his  belt,  and  be- 
trayed his  satisfaction  in  the  smile  that  deep- 
ened on  his  purple  countenance  ;  and  even  the 
Colonel  looked  around  and  nodded  to  Mrs. 
Bruff  in  a  manner  expressive  of  his  concur- 
rence in  the  sentiment.  The  ladies  chatted 
desperately  among  themselves,  and  the  officers 
stood  about  erectly,  with  their  hands  clasped 
behind  them,  and  pretended  to  enjoy  easy 
converse ;  but  very  generally  they  kept  one 
intelligent  eye  on  the  Colonel  to  observe 
what  his  mood  or  intention  might  be.  Major 
Remmick,  by  virtue  of  his  rank,  seemed  de- 
puted to  draw  him  out. 

"  Well,  Colonel,  you've  seen  the  lot  of  us," 
said  he,  with  the  conciliatory  air  of  a  show- 
man after  a  doubtful  performance.  "In- 
fantry, cavalry,  staff,  doctors,  and  all." 

"A  fine  looking  set  of  men.  Major,"  re- 
sponded the  Colonel,  seeing  what  was  ex- 
pected of  him.  "  I  have  been  with  many  a 
regiment  in  my  time,  but  none,  I  am  sure, 
that  it  will  afford  me  greater  pleasure  to 
command  than  this."  The  sentiment  was 
echoed  down  the  room  from  man  to  man,  and 
induced  a  comfortable  feeling  towards  the 
new  commander. 


30  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"  The  regiment  is  not  a  muchly  married 
one,  is  it,  Mrs.  Remmick  ? "  inquired  Mrs. 
Bruff. 

"  Not  as  much  as  some,  Mrs.  Bruff.  Some 
of  the  companies  at  other  stations  have  the 
full  complement  of  wives,  I  believe ;  but 
those  at  headquarters  have  not.  Don't  you 
think  so,  Mrs.  Burns  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  decidedly.  They  are  very  much," 
said  Mrs.  Burns,  at  random  ;  for  she  had  been 
telegraphing  to  her  husband,  and  had  not 
caught  the  conversation. 

"•  But  I  am  sure  I  shall  find  them  pleas- 
ant," continued  Mrs.  Bruff,  with  determined 
amiability. 

"Dear  me,  yes.  The  Major  and  I  —  well, 
we  have  been  in  the  regiment  for  years,  and 
there  is  absolutely  never  any  trouble." 

"  Oh,  we  are  quite  like  a  family  of  sisters," 
cooed  Mrs.  Burns. 

"  Yes,  indeed.  I  hope  and  believe  you  will 
find  us  all  pleasant  to  serve  with,  Mrs. 
Bruff,"  said  Mis.  Remmick,  anxiously. 

"  Oh,  I  am  quite  sure  of  it,"  said  Mrs. 
Bruff,  positively. 

Just  then  refreshments  were  brought  in, 
and  the  attempts  at  chat  ceased.     The  ladies 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  81 

were  settling  themselves  for  the  bit  of  lunch? 
and  the  men,  standing  against  the  wall,  were 
watching  the  progress  about  the  room  with 
trays  of  the  soldiers  pressed  into  service  for 
the  night,  and  estimating  their  own  ability 
to  manage  plate,  cup,  and  saucer  with  but  a 
single  pair  of  hands. 

There  was  one  thing  about  it,  Mrs.  Rem- 
mick  reflected  in  a  comfortable  state  of  mind  ; 
the  china  was  good,  and  Mrs.  Bruff  could 
hardly  fail  to  be  surprised  at  its  quality  and 
condition,  so  far  from  a  purchasing  town, 
from  a  railroad ;  in  fact,  from  civilization. 
Some  of  it  was  Mrs.  Remmick's  own,  some 
had  been  loaned  by  Mrs.  Burns,  some  by  Mrs. 
Willard,  and  some  by  young  Wallace,  who 
had  indulged  his  untrained  fancy  in  an  ex- 
pensive mess  kit  just  before  joining.  The 
silver,  which  was  solid,  had  been  gotten  to- 
gether in  the  same  way,  but  its  varieties  of 
weight  and  of  pattern  made  the  levy  rather 
in  evidence.  These  reflections  would  have 
been  disquieting  to  any  but  an  army  woman  ; 
but  to  Mrs.  Remmick,  accustomed  through 
long  years  of  service  to  all  degrees  of  ingen- 
ious makeshifts,  they  favorably  indicated  the 
resources  of  the  regiment,  and  she  knew  Mrs. 


32  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

Bruff  would  look  upon  the  matter  in  the 
same  way.  After  all,  as  a  final  argument, 
Mrs.  Remmick  might  have  said  that  it  was 
not  her  reception ;  it  was  the  regiment's ; 
everybody  who  could,  had  a  hand  in  it,  and 
it  was  only  by  a  happy  chance  that  her  quar- 
ters were  made  use  of  for  the  purpose.  It 
was  altogether  proper  and  quite  to  be  ex- 
pected that  the  regimental  silver  and  china 
and  napery  should  be  thus  gathered  and 
exposed  to  view. 

Buttered  biscuits,  half-way  between  hot 
and  cold,  were  offered  with  small  cups  of 
chocolate.  Cake  and  ice-cream  followed. 
The  men  fought  gallantly  against  odds  to  do 
justice  to  the  fare  ;  but  more  than  one  silently 
drew  a  comparison  between  this  occasion  and 
various  evenings  in  camp,  when  a  man  might 
sit  on  a  bent  bush  with  the  meat-can  on  his 
lap  and  the  coffee-cup  on  the  ground  beside 
him,  with  the  occasional  arrival  from  ambush 
of  unexpected  bullets  to  give  a  zest  to  the 
appetite.  By  a  curious  hitch  in  their  reason- 
ing, those  camp  days  were  days  of  stern  duty, 
and  this,  an  evening  of  blandishment  and 
pleasure  ;  and  they  honestly  held  to  that  use 
of  the  qualifying  terms,  and  attempted  no 
transposition. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  33 

Mrs.  Bruff,  eating  her  ice-cream  with  a 
heavy  spoon  engraved  "  W,"  wliich  did  not 
stand  for  Remmick,  took  occasion  to  say  it 
was  very  good.  "  It  must  be  quite  like  hav- 
ing a  dairy  of  one's  own  to  live  in  the  midst 
of  a  grazing  country,"  she  added. 

"  You  will  hardly  believe  me  when  I  tell 
you  it  is  next  to  impossible  to  get  a  drop  of 
milk  or  cream,"  said  Mrs.  Remmick,  earnestly, 
and  the  other  ladies  nodded  their  support  of 
her  assertion.  "  Here  we  are  in  what  the 
]\lajor  calls  a  'cow  country,'  but  it's  little 
enough  milk  or  cream  that  we  see.  If  it 
wasn't  for  Sergeant  Burke,  who  keeps  a  cow, 
we  should  be  at  a  pretty  pass.  The  ranches 
don't  supply  us  with  anything.  And  the  ice- 
cream, let  me  confide  to  you,  is  half  corn 
starch."  She  communicated  this  startlinof 
information  behind  her  hand  in  a  whisper 
that  was  heard  by  all  the  ladies  and  half  the 
men.  But  they  received  the  statement  with 
unconcern,  for  every  family  on  the  Line  had 
been  levied  on  for  cream  before  resort  was 
had  to  corn  starch.  And  it  was  an  open 
secret  that  condensed  milk  also  had  been 
brought  into  requisition. 

"  And  the  ice,"  continued  Mrs.  Remmick 


34  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

before  Mrs.  Bruff  could  make  more  than  an 
ejaculatory  comment,  —  "  the  ice  with  which 
the  cream  was  frozen  came  from  Lake  Michi- 
gan. That  to  me  is  the  strangest  thing  of 
all,  stationed  as  we  are  on  the  hot  plains, 
two  thousand  miles  from  Michigan,  and  four 
days'  march  from  a  railroad.  As  the  Major 
says,  we  have  to  go  a  good  ways  for  our  bless- 
ings these  days." 

"And  I  say  it  again.  Didn't  we  have  to 
go  to  Montana  this  time  for  Colonel  and  Mrs. 
Bruff?"  asked  the  Major,  who  had  come 
behind  his  wife's  chair  as  she  talked.  Every- 
body laughed  at  this,  some  nervously,  all 
unrestrainedly,  and  Mrs.  Bates,  the  young 
wife  of  a  young  lieutenant,  shook  her  fan  at 
the  Major  and  said  he  was  perfectly  killing. 
This  was  flattering  to  the  Major's  strain  of 
humor.  He  was  fortunate  in  having  Mrs. 
Remmick  to  hold  him  in  check,  and  to  tell 
him  from  time  to  time  that  he  was  not  so 
witty  as  he  might  imagine. 

The  conversation  had  been  like  a  succession 
of  detached  fortifications  crowning  a  row  of 
eminences,  with  wide  passages  between.  The 
fire  from  the  hill-tops  failed  to  search  these 
spaces ;  but  there  was  an  able  ally  provided. 


IN   BLUE    UNIFORM  35 

The  regimental  band  had  been  ordered  out, 
and  was  stationed  on  the  parade  directly  in 
front  of  the  Major's  quarters.  On  a  trip  over 
the  creek  Mrs.  Remmick  had  discovered  in 
the  store  which  dominated  the  frame-and- 
canvas  town,  a  dozen  Japanese  lanterns,  sur- 
vivals of  some  Fourth  of  July  stock  in  trade. 
These  she  had  bought,  and  the  field  music 
and  soldiers'  boys  held  them  above  the  heads 
of  the  bandsmen  as  they  played.  Under  their 
influence,  and  spurred  on  by  a  hope  of  privi- 
leges and  beer,  the  band  played  its  very  best, 
which  was  also  its  very  loudest.  Conversa- 
tion was  impossible  while  it  was  at  work, 
and  Lyndon,  catching  the  Major  in  passing, 
shouted  in  his  ear  that  it  was  a  bright  idea 
to  get  the  band  out.  The  Major  could  only 
grin  and  nod  appreciatively  as  he  went  on. 

It  became  apparent  that  the  ceremonies  of 
the  evening  were  at  an  end  with  the  refresh- 
ments, and  there  remained  but  the  trouble- 
some business  of  getting  out.  For  this,  the 
formation,  offensive  and  defensive,  was  simi- 
lar to  that  attending  the  getting  in.  Hands 
were  taken  and  dropped,  good-nights  said, 
and  assurances  of  a  delightful  evening  re- 
peated.    Colonel   Bruff   had   been    fairly  re- 


36  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

ceived  and  acknowledged  as  the  executive 
and  administrative  head  of  the  regiment,  and 
Mrs.  Bruff  had  taken  her  place  as  First  Lady. 
The  new  power  was  formally  installed. 

As  they  went  down  the  Line  from  the 
Major's,  some  of  the  officers  turned  in  with 
Lyndon  at  his  quarters;  and  Lyndon  hailed 
others  who  were  ahead. 

"  Won't  you  fellows  come  in  ?  We've  got 
all  night  to  do  this  in." 

"Might  as  well  continue  the  wheel,"  re- 
marked Lawrence,  who  thereupon  returned 
with  a  bachelor  contingent.  And  Willard 
shouted  back,  "  I'll  come  in  immediately," 
which  was  taken  to  mean  as  soon  as  he  had 
escorted  Mrs.  Willard  home.  Others  came 
dropping  in,  and  Lyndon  had  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  his  demijohn  of  a  choice  Mononga- 
liela  brand  deeply  appreciated. 

"  Well,  what  do  you  all  think  of  him  ? " 
suggested  Burns,  when  a  short  retrospective 
silence  had  gathered  on  the  group. 

"The  C.  O.?  He's  all  right.  Seems  to 
be  a  good  sort  of  old  man,"  said  the  speakers 
for  all. 

"  He's  a  stickler,  though,  for  regimental 
manners." 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  37 

"  Well,  that's  what  we  want,  isn't  it  ?  " 

"  Yes,  of  course." 

"  It  is  good  enough,  far  as  it  goes,"  said 
Lawrence.  "  But  we  want  a  grand  old  man 
at  the  head  of  affairs ;  a  man  that  is  a  man, 
and  not  an  automatic  spool  of  red  tape." 

"  I  reckon  the  C.  O.  will  give  you  variety- 
enough.  And  red  tape's  all  right  in  its  way. 
Don't  go  sassing  department  methods,"  said 
Burns. 

"  Oh,  it  has  its  advantages,  but  taken  as  a 
steady  diet  it  is  wearisome.  And  this  regi- 
ment can't  spell  itself  with  a  big  red  R  when 
it  is  lying  back  like  this,  peacefully  making 
out  monthly  returns  and  running  garrison 
courts.  We'll  be  getting  flabby  in  our 
muscles." 

"  It's  a  bloodthirsty  boy,  now  isn't  it  ? " 
said  Lyndon,  playfully  knocking  Lawrence 
between  the  shoulders.  "  One  would  look 
for  a  string  of  scalps  at  his  waist,  instead  of 
a  brand-new  dress  belt." 

"  I  thought  the  old  man  had  children," 
suddenly  observed  Eagan. 

"  Oh  no ;  you're  wrong.  Never  heard  of 
any." 

"But  he  had,  though,"  said   Major   Rem- 


38  IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM 

mick,  who  had  run  out  for  a  breath  of  air 
after  the  reception,  and  been  attracted  by  the 
light  in  Lyndon's  quarters. 

"  Go  ahead,  Major.  Let's  have  it,"  cried 
the  anticipative  crowd.  There  was  some- 
thing in  his  manner  that  portended  a  story. 

"  Don't  get  excited  ;  it  isn't  much.  There 
was  but  one  —  a  boy.  I  remember  the  little 
chap  twenty  years  ago,  when  the  Colonel 
and  I  were  serving  together  in  Kansas  ;  he 
was  a  captain  then,  and  I  was  a  lieutenant. 
This  boy  was  smart  as  lightning.  He  didn't 
take  to  the  Colonel's  idea  of  domestic  dis- 
cipline kindly,  and  as  soon  as  he  was  old 
enough  they  sent  him  away  to  school.  After 
that,  he  got  into  some  bad  row,  we  never 
knew  what;  but  he  was  expelled,  and  the 
Colonel  said  he  would  never  see  him  again. 
It  was  more  than  a  mere  school  affair ;  he 
went  dead  against  his  father's  orders  in  some 
other  way.  And  the  Colonel  is  hell-fire  and 
a  rod  of  iron.  Anj^way,  that's  all  was  known 
of  that. 

"  Of  a  sudden,  then,  the  Colonel  and  his 
wife  went  East  on  leave ;  and  when  they 
came  back  Mrs.  Bruff  was  wearing  black, 
and  looked  old ;   and  the  old  man  was  even 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  39 

grummer  than  ever.  They  were  in  mourning 
for  their  son." 

A  little  murmur  of  sympathy  went  through 
the  gathering,  and  men  nodded  gravely  as 
they  listened. 

"  It  was  very  painful.  Some  of  the  ladies 
tried  to  sympathize  Avith  Mrs.  Bruff,  but  the 
poor  woman  broke  down  in  tears  so  that  they 
had  to  quit.  She  could  not  bear  to  speak  of 
it.  And  the  Colonel  invited  no  sympathy; 
he  repelled  it.  He  went  about  his  duty  look- 
ing exactly  as  he  does  to-day.  So  they  have 
lived  it  down,  and  nobody  says  '  son '  to  them. 
It's  been  hard  enough  on  them,  no  doubt." 

"  It  would  have  been  tough  on  the  boy 
had  he  lived,"  said  young  Wallace,  with 
ready  feeling  for  juvenile  trials. 

"What!  Boy?  I'm  talking  about  the 
father.  He's  a  law  to  himself,  and  nothing 
can  swerve  him  from  his  idea  of  justice.  He 
would  have  been  impartially  correct  to  his 
son  —  probably  was ;  but  that's  all." 

"  But  that  isn't  enough,  is  it.  Major  ?  "  asked 
Lyndon,  quietly.  And  Wallace  thanked  him 
with  a  grateful  look. 

"  Well  —  he's  just,  anyway.  And  that's 
of  first  importance  in  our  line  of  life,"  per- 


40  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

sistecl  the  Major.  He  had  a  weakness  for 
maintaining  his  own  unswerving  allegiance 
to  discipline ;  it  was  when  theory  was  put 
aside  and  the  moment  of  practice  came  that 
his  true  belief  was  made  known. 

Eagan  gave  a  harsh  sort  of  a  laugh  that 
turned  all  eyes  to  him. 

"  I'm  thinking,  Lyndon,  your  company  will 
come  in  for  a  touch  of  his  iron  hand,"  said 
he. 

"  That  will  be  all  right,"  said  Lyndon,  with 
affected  carelessness.  "  He  will  give  me  jus- 
tice, according  to  the  Major  here,  and  that  is 
enough  for  me."  With  the  conservatism  of 
officers  of  long  standing  he  shrank  from 
discussing  regimental  affairs  with  men  from 
other  regiments.  All  friction  and  all  experi- 
ment, he  held,  should  be  covered  from  the 
outward  view. 

"  Well,  I  like  him,  and  I  believe  he  likes 
us,"  said  Willard.  "  But  that's  neither  here 
nor  there.  It  isn't  a  question  of  likes  and 
dislikes,  but  only  of  duty  under  whatever 
conditions." 

"Yes,  we  all  like  him,"  said  the  others. 
But  it  was  more  a  matter  of  pride  than  of 
affection.    He  was  a  good  commanding  officer, 


IN   BLUE    UNIFOEM  41 

and  under  him  they  were  satisfied  of  a  vigor- 
ous administration. 

Lawrence  was  the  last  to  say  good-night. 
He  was  Lyndon's  first  lieutenant,  and  pur- 
posely staid  behind. 

"If  the  C.  O.  should  go  to  coming  down 
like  a  thousand  bricks,"  said  he  when  they 
were  alone,  "  he'll  be  likely  to  take  a  fall  out 
of  you,  Lyndon." 

"  I'm  not  on  the  run  yet,"  answered  Lyn- 
don. "  I  know  most  of  the  captains  think  I 
am  too  lenient  with  my  men,  but  you  know 
for  yourself  what  kind  of  discipline  I  have." 

"  None  better." 

"  You  know  my  views.  I  don't  believe  in 
the  machine  soldier;  I  don't  believe  in  the 
court  martial  for  every  petty  break ;  I  do  be- 
lieve in  looking  after  the  physical  and  moral 
welfare  of  the  men.  It  isn't  a  matter  of  res:- 
ulations,  but  of  principle.  I  hope  the  old 
man  won't  go  to  being  crabbed,  for  it  might 
be  unpleasant." 

"  I  hope  not.  And  anyhow,  I'll  back  your 
judgment  with  all  the  chips  I've  got,"  de- 
clared Lawrence,  warmly. 


Ill 


The  morning  after  the  reception  Colonel 
Bruff  took  over  the  command  of  the  post 
from  Major  Remmick.  It  was  not  an  affair 
of  ceremony.  While  guard-mounting  was  in 
progress  the  two  officers  came  out,  and  walked 
together  slowly  towards  the  headquarters 
building.  The  Colonel  stopped  for  a  moment 
to  look  narrowly  at  the  men  in  line,  consti- 
tuting the  new  guard,  and  to  note  the  appear- 
ance of  the  band.  He  made  no  criticism ; 
the  Major  expected  none.  The  habit  of  in- 
spection was  one  they  possessed  in  common, 
drawing  it  from  their  service.  They  knew 
the  men  of  one  regiment  should,  theoretically, 
appear  no  better  than  those  of  any  other,  and 
that  in  practice  there  was  seldom  a  noticeable 
difference.  A  certain  standard  of  require- 
ments was  exacted  from  all ;  for  those  who 
fell  below,  squad  drill  and  the  "  setting  up  " 
exercises  until  the  requisite  soldierly  facility 
should  be  acquired.  Had  the  guard  turned 
42 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  43 

out  sloucliily,  the  Colonel  might  have  spoken 
of  it,  or  the  Major  felt  called  upon  for  an 
apologetic  statement  of  cause.  But  there 
was  no  occasion  for  criticism,  and  as  for  com- 
pliment—  it  is  possible  that  the  Colonel  felt 
a  little  thrill  of  pride  at  sight  of  his  own  men, 
for  this  was  to  be  his  regiment,  now  and 
henceforth,  till  promotion  should  again  touch 
his  shoulder  straps.  But  he  would  not  have 
betrayed  such  an  emotion  to  the  Major,  or 
have  allowed  its  existence  to  be  even  sus- 
pected. Stern  self-control  and  the  suppres- 
sion of  emotion  were  parts  of  the  Colonel's 
stock-in-trade.  His  voice  might  have  be- 
trayed him ;  and  so,  no  matter  how  highly 
he  might  think  of  liis  men,  no  matter  how 
strongly  their  natty  appearance  might  impress 
him,  not  a  syllable  escaped.  After  gazing  a 
moment  in  contemplative  silence,  he  strode 
on  to  the  office,  and  the  Major  subordinately 
followed,  a  fraction  of  a  pace  to  the  rear. 

The  office  door  stood  ajar,  and  they  passed 
within,  to  the  room  devoted  to  the  adjutant's 
use.  Save  for  the  orderly  on  duty,  standing 
at  attention  statuesquely,  it  was  vacant. 
The  adjutant.  Lieutenant  Willard,  was  at 
that    moment    conducting    guard-mounting; 


44  IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM 

they  could  hear  his  voice  ringing  across  the 
parade  in  the  commands  preparatory  to  march- 
ing in  review.  Straight  beyond  was  the  office 
of  the  sergeant-major ;  and  turning  through 
an  interior  door  to  the  left,  they  entered  the 
office  of  the  commanding  officer. 

"  Colonel,  I  turn  over  the  command  to 
you,"  said  Major  Remmick  at  this  point. 

The  Colonel  cast  a  glance  over  the  interior. 
The  national  and  regimental  flags  stood  in 
their  cases  in  the  corner ;  there  were  the 
usual  official  books  of  reference,  the  plain, 
office  furnishings  of  a  simply  conducted  mili- 
tary post.  His  observant  eye  took  it  all  in, 
even  as  he  made  acknowledgment. 

"Very  well.  Major,"  said  the  Colonel, 
quietly.  The  two  officers  touched  their  cap 
visors  in  slight  military  salute.  The  Colonel 
sat  down  behind  the  flat-topped  desk,  ready 
to  administrate  the  affairs  of  the  post.  Major 
Remmick  drew  up  a  chair,  and  the  two  spoke 
of  matters  connected  with  the  office.  Wallace, 
going  by  to  the  post  library,  glanced  in  and 
saw  them  thus.  To  the  group  he  found  over 
the  books  he  said  the  Major  was  giving  the 
C.  O.  pointers,  and  that  the  gentlemen  present 
had   better   turn  over   a   new   leaf   each   in 


IN  BLUE    UNIFORII  45 

deportment  immediately.  They  smiled  sig- 
nificantly at  his  irreverent  youth,  and  he 
sank  behind  an  old  copy  of  a  daily  jDaper,  and 
assiduously  read  the  advertisements. 

The  Major  was  speaking  of  the  commis- 
sioned personnel  of  the  regiment.  "  The  staff 
has  shown  itself  efficient,"  said  he.  "  Mr. 
Willard  as  adjutant  and  Mr.  Thompson  as 
quartermaster  are  capable  of  any  duties  in 
their  departments,  and  unless  you  have 
changes  in  view  —  " 

"  I  have  none,  Major,"  said  the  Colonel, 
quietly.  "  I  presume  they  will  send  in  their 
resignations  as  is  customary  on  the  advent 
of  a  new  commanding  officer,  but  I  do  not 
expect  to  accept  them.  I  shall  no  doubt  be 
quite  satisfied  with  the  appointments  made 
by  my  predecessor,  Colonel  Randelmann." 

The  Major  heard  him  with  pleasure.  "  I 
think  you  will,"  he  rejoined.  "  You  will  find 
the  commanders  of  companies  quite  generally 
attentive  to  discipline,  and  the  command  is  in 
accordingly  fine  trim.  Of  course,  all  do  not 
agree  as  to  the  best  methods,  and  do  not 
always  enforce  the  letter  of  the  regulations. 
But  the  general  result  is  good."  The  Major 
stumbled  painfully  through   this  statement. 


46  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

He  wanted  to  say  a  good  word  for  Lyndon, 
whom  he  liked,  before  it  should  be  possible 
for  the  Colonel  to  take  exception  to  any  of  his 
methods.  But  what  he  did  say  only  aroused 
questioning  suspicion  in  the  Colonel's  mind. 

"  I  do  not  see  how  there  can  be  any  dis- 
agreement. The  regulations  are  very  explicit. 
Please  explain  yourself.  Major."  The  Colonel 
tapped  nervously  on  the  desk  as  he  spoke. 

"  I  mean  degrees  of  leniency.  The  same 
infringement  of  discipline  does  not  have  the 
same  weight  with  all  of  them.  We  have  some 
captains  who  would  yet  string  a  man  up,  or 
buck  and  gag  him ;  and  we  have  others 
who  I  believe  would  never  think  of  such  a 
thing." 

"  Regulations  are  against  any  corporal  pun- 
ishment," observed  the  Colonel.  "  But  some- 
times the  temptation  is  great.  I  should  prefer 
to  err  on  the  side  of  strictness.  That,  to  my 
mind,  produces  the  best  results." 

"  Yes,  sir.  But  in  this  case  we  have  the 
record  to  show  for  the  result.  The  guard- 
house book  will  show  that  the  prisoners  from 
the  companies  with  lenient  captains  are  no 
more  in  number  than  from  others." 

"  Which  proves  nothing  save  that  leniency 


IN   BLUE    UNIFORM  47 

is  there.  It  does  not  establish  discipline," 
said  the  Colonel,  testily. 

"  That  is  so.  And  yet,  I  would  add  that 
from  one  such  company  desertion  is  practi- 
cally unknown.  That  is  a  desirable  feature. 
I  do  not  wish  to  be  understood  as  advocating 
any  departure  from  regulations.  Colonel," 
added  the  Major,  as  though  in  fear  of  being 
thought  biased. 

"I  should  hope  not,  sir.  Regulations  are 
made  to  be  observed,"  said  the  Colonel,  drily. 
And  then  he  added  with  a  keen  glance : 
"  Which  is  this  model  company  ?  " 

"  I  had  reference  to  Captain  Lyndon's  com- 
pany. It  may  appear  a  bit  strange  that  he, 
who  is  the  junior  captain,  should  seem  most 
successful  in  company  discipline.  Old  stag- 
ers who  served  through  the  war  do  no  better 
than  he.     It  may  be  his  progressive  ideas  —  " 

"  Progressive  nonsense  !  "  belched  the  Colo- 
nel so  vehemently  that  the  Major  started.  "  I 
don't  want  any  of  this  stuff  and  nonsense. 
Every  new  lieutenant  comes  in  with  new-fan- 
gled nursery  ideas  of  coddling  tough,  grown- 
up men  who  fight  for  a  living.  A  pretty  lot 
they'd  have  to  take  the  field  with !  I  will 
have  none  of  it.     Major,  this  regiment  has 


48  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

but  one  guide  for  conduct  —  and  the  book  of 
Regulations  is  its  Bible  !  " 

He  grew  red  in  the  face  and  glared  upon 
the  junior  officer  as  though  in  him  he  had 
discovered  an  arch-offender.  The  Major 
shuffled  his  feet  uneasily,  and  had  no  reply 
to  make.  He  was  conscious  that  guard- 
mounting  was  over,  that  the  adjutant  was  in 
his  office  without,  and  that  other  officers  had 
gathered  there  in  accordance  with  the  morn- 
ing custom.  He  knew  by  the  outer  stillness 
that  the  Colonel's  outburst  had  not  been  un- 
noticed by  them,  and  that  they  would  in  their 
hearts  say  he  was  receiving  the  first  wigging 
at  Colonel  Bruff's  hands.  This  rankled.  It 
mattered  not  that  it  was  a  misconception,  or 
that  he  might  open  the  subject  to  them  and 
explain  it  in  a  way  to  down  the  idea.  He 
knew  he  could  not  speak  of  it  first  to  any  one, 
and  that  no  one  would  mention  it  to  him. 
Such  proceeding  Avould  have  been  without 
the  bounds  of  official  courtesy.  By  and  by 
the  incident  would  be  forgotten ;  but  till 
then  he  would  bear  the  uncomfortable  knowl- 
edge that  the  captains  were  secretly  sym- 
pathizing with  him,  and  that  the  graceless 
lieutenants,  whom  he  had  himself  occasion- 


IN   BLUE    UNIFORM  49 

ally  rated,  were  chuckling  to  see  the  tables 
turned.  It  was  simply  one  of  the  petty  an- 
noyances of  the  service.  It  was  now  his  part 
to  preserve  a  calm  unmoved  exterior,  and 
theirs  to  avoid  any  indication  of  having 
heard  aught. 

A  knock  sounded  on  the  door.  "  Come 
in  ! "  called  the  Colonel,  unnecessarily  loud. 
His  irritation  had  not  yet  abated.  It  was  the 
old  and  new  officers  of  the  day,  reporting  the 
state  of  the  post  for  the  past  twenty-four 
hours,  and  asking  orders  for  the  new  tour. 
They  presented  the  guard  report  for  exam- 
ination, and  Colonel  Bruff  went  through  it 
systematically.  He  thought  fit  to  call  atten- 
tion to  one  entry,  holding  his  finger  on  the 
line  as  he  did  so. 

" '  Burton,  H   company,  confined  at   mid- 
night by   Captain    Burns.     Released   at  re- 
veille by  order  of  his  company  commander.' 
Who  is  his  company  commander  ?  " 
"  Captain  Lyndon,  sir." 
"  What  was  the  man's  offence  ?  " 
"  I  don't  know,  sir,"  said  the  old  officer  of 
the  day.    "  I  inquired,  but  the  sergeant  of  the 
guard  could  tell  me  nothing.     He  was  both 
confined  and  released  without  my  knowledge." 


60  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"  I  shall  inquire  into  this,"  said  the  Colo- 
nel, stiffly.  "  If  a  man's  offence  is  sufficient 
to  warrant  his  being  placed  under  charge  of 
the  guard,  he  should  certainly  be  brought 
before  a  court  martial.  This  haphazard  con- 
fining and  releasing  is  playing  at  cross-pur- 
poses. No  new  orders,  gentlemen  ;  that  will 
do." 

With  another  comprehensive  salute  the 
two  officers  swung  on  their  heels  and  went 
from  the  room.  Colonel  Bruff  turned  to 
Major  Remmick  with  the  queerest  of  smiles 
edging  his  lips. 

"  I  profess  to  you.  Major,  the  kindliest  feel- 
ing toward  my  command,  commissioned  and 
enlisted,"  said  he.  "  Captain  Lyndon  is  un- 
doubtedly an  excellent  officer,  and  I  should 
dislike  to  — "  He  made  a  little  gesture 
with  his  hand,  at  which  the  Major  nodded. 
"  I  know  it  is  a  custom  with  some  command- 
ing officers  to  put  a  man. in  the  guard-house 
and  withdraw  him  again,  leaving  no  official 
record  of  the  matter  beyond  the  entry  in  the 
guard-book.     I  do  not  approve  of  that." 

The  adjutant  entered  then  with  the  con- 
solidated morning  report,  the  day's  passes, 
and  various  other  papers,  which  he  laid  be- 
fore the  Colonel. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  61 

"  I  shall  request  you  and  Mr.  Thompson  to 
continue  on  the  staff  during  the  remainder  of 
your  terms  of  appointment,"  said  the  Colonel 
to  him  at  sight  of  two  official  forms  of  resig- 
nation. Willard  bowed  in  acknowledgment. 
"  Charges  against  Private  Burton,"  continued 
the  Colonel,  picking  up  another  paper. 

"  He  was  released  this  morning,  sir,"  said 
Willard. 

"  I  understand  so.  I  wish  to  see  Captains 
Burns  and  Lyndon  regarding  it."  He  touched 
the  bell  on  his  desk,  and  the  orderly  appeared 
in  the  doorway,  in  answer.  Willard  de- 
spatched him  in  search  of  the  two  officers. 
While  he  Avas  gone,  the  other  routine  matters 
of  the  morning  were  attended  to. 

"  Captain  Burns,"  said  the  Colonel,  when 
the  two  officers  arrived,  "I  wish  to  know 
why  you  confined  Private  Burton  last 
night?" 

"  He  was  out  of  his  quarters,  sir,  and  near 
the  officers'  line.  As  I  was  going  home  about 
midnight  I  saw  him  in  the  shadow,  near  the 
quarters  of  Major  Remmick.  He  would  give 
no  reason  for  being  there,  and  so  I  confined 
him." 

"Why  did  you  release  him  this  morning, 


52  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

Captain  Lyndon?"  asked  the  Colonel,  with 
an  air  of  strict  impartiality. 

"  He  was  reported  absent  from  the  com- 
pany at  reveille.  I  found  him  in  the  guard- 
house. He  had  not  been  drinking  —  he  does 
not  drink.  He  is  one  of  my  most  trustworthy 
men.  When  he  assured  me  he  was  bent  on 
no  harm,  I  believed  him.  He  asked  me  not 
to  press  him  for  a  reason  for  his  being  out  at 
midnight,  and  I  respected  his  request.  He 
did  not  seek  to  avoid  punishment;  he  did 
not  complain.  I  released  him  on  my  own 
responsibility,  for  he  is  a  man  whom  I  can 
trust."  Lyndon  delivered  himself  of  this  in 
as  unimpassioned  a  manner  as  possible.  He 
believed  from  his  foreknowledge  that  the 
Colonel's  judgment  would  be  against  him,  as 
he  knew  the  sentiment  of  Captain  Burns  to 
be.  He  did  not  care  so  much  about  the  last 
matter,  however ;  he  and  Burns  had  already 
had  their  explanation. 

"Hereafter,"  said  the  Colonel,  slowly, 
"  when  a  man  is  put  in  the  guard-house,  I 
will  myself  judge  of  the  propriety  of  his 
imprisonment,  and  will  myself  give  the  order 
for  his  release.  I  can  understand,  Captain 
Lyndon,  your  natural  pique  at  having  one 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  53 

of  your  men  imprisoned  by  another  officer 
with  no  word  of  it  to  you ;  but  you  should 
regard  the  present  circumstances." 

"  I  am  not  aware,  Colonel,  that  I  have 
acted  from  pique  in  this  case,"  said  Lyndon, 
protesting. 

"  Hereafter  you  will  not  act  at  all.  I  shall 
myself  control  the  discipline  of  the  post. 
And  you  will  now.  Captain  Ljmdon,  proceed 
to  your  company  barracks,  and  cause  Private 
Burton  to  be  replaced  under  charge  of  the 
guard.     That  will  do." 

After  that  sentence  of  absolute  dismissal, 
there  was  nothing  for  it  but  to  go.  Argu- 
ment would  have  been  useless,  and  possibly 
worse  than  that.  The  Colonel  had  turned 
from  the  two  officers,  and  was  busying  him- 
self with  papers  as  though  he  had  been  alone. 
After  all,  the  autocratic  way  has  much  in  it 
that  is  admirable. 

Once  outside.  Burns  grasped  Lyndon's 
hand.  "  This  is  most  unfortunate,  old  man," 
said  he.  There  could  be  no  bar  to  his  talking 
to  Ljaidon  of  the  event,  for  he  had  been  a 
participant.  "  If  I  could  have  foreseen  this, 
your  man  might  have  slept  all  night  on  the 
porch  of  the  Colonel  himself  before  I'd  have 
said  a  word  to  him." 


54  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"Yes,  I  can  appreciate  that,"  said  Lyndon, 
"  but  I  fear  I  can't  keep  with  you  on  that 

lay." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Burton  being  in,  I  would  have  liberated 
him  just  the  same,  let  the  consequences  be 
what  they  may." 

"  Yes,  I  know  you  would.  Well,  that's  all 
right.  Look  here,  Lyndon.  You  may  be 
lenient  with  your  men,  but  it  strikes  me  you 
are  strict  enough  with  yourself.  In  this  case 
you  would  hold  yourself  to  your  idea  of  duty, 
while  I  would  let  duty  slide." 

"  That  will  do  for  talk  ;  I  know  you.  But 
seriously.  Burns  —  what  he  said,  you  know 
—  about  a  bit  pique  —  " 

"Rot  and  nonsense!  Don't  I  know  it? 
You  forget  I've  been  some  years  in  the  regi- 
ment with  you,  Lyn.  And  now,  to  prove  it, 
I'll  tell  you  what  I  think  of  our  brand-new 
colonel."  He  made  a  tube  of  his  hands,  and 
otherwise  evinced  a  desire  for  secrecy  on  the 
open  parade,  within  sight  of  all  the  doors  and 
windows  of  garrison. 

"  Well  ? "  said  Lyndon,  laughing  at  his 
absurdity. 

"That  he  is  a  dandy  in   the  field  and  a 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  55 

devil  in  the  garrison.  It  takes  some  of  both 
kinds  to  make  our  tight  little  army.  Run 
along  now  and  put  your  man  in  the  guard- 
house." 

And  there  being  absolutely  no  help  for  it, 
Lyndon  did  as  he  was  bid. 


IV 


The  absolutism  displayed  by  Colonel  Bruff 
in  the  small  matter  of  Private  Burton  was 
regarded  by  the  garrison  as  a  fair  sample  of 
what  might  be  expected  at  all  times.  Sever- 
ity had  been  anticipated,  for  the  Colonel's 
reputation  was  established  throughout  the 
length  and  breadth  of  the  army.  If  some 
had  looked  for  a  period  of  gentle  adminis- 
tration at  the  first,  they  were  disappointed. 
Colonel  Bruff  was  long  accustomed  to  com- 
mand, and  from  the  moment  he  sat  in  the 
seat  of  the  colonel  of  the  regiment  he  had 
been  possessed  of  no  uncertainty  as  to  his 
course  of  action.  As  a  result  of  army  expe- 
rience, he  acted  vigorously  and  promptly. 
The  Burton  case  came  "up  on  his  first  day 
of  command,  and  gave  him  an  opportunity. 
Otherwise  the  garrison  might  not  have  had 
a  taste  of  his  quality  so  soon. 

A  garrison  court  martial  was  at  once  con- 
vened, to  remain  in  force  during  the  presen- 
56 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  57 

tation  of  fifteen  cases.  There  were  already 
several  prisoners  in  the  guard-house,  doing 
penance  for  minor  offences,  and  they,  with 
Burton,  were  at  once  brought  before  the 
court.  Without  the  spoken  expression  of  an 
opinion,  the  commissioned  force  seemed  pos- 
sessed of  the  idea  that  their  own  duties  might 
be  performed  with  a  trifle  more  snap  than 
had  been  common,  and  still  no  harm  be  done. 
Time  had  been  when  a  man  might  lie  a  close 
prisoner  in  the  guard-house 'for  a  week,  while 
the  judge  advocate  made  futile  efforts  to 
gather  the  members  of  his  court ;  and  even 
at  that,  the  trial  might  result  in  a  finding  of 
"not  guilty."  The  soldier  had  then  no  re- 
dress for  the  wrongful  imprisonment  he  had 
endured,  but  accepted  it  stoically  as  an  inci- 
dent of  military  life.  But  now,  when  young 
Wallace  went  forth  to  find  his  court,  all  three 
of  the  members  were  promptly  on  hand,  and 
met,  per  notification,  of  an  early  morning  hour, 
in  the  court-martial  room. 

The  squad  of  prisoners  came  over  from  the 
guard-house,  attended  by  a  corporal  and  a 
number  of  sentries.  One  at  a  time  they  were 
summoned  before  the  court,  and  stood  trials 
of  an  average  length  of  five  minutes.     They 


68  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

were  mainly  charged  with  drunkenness  and 
absence  from  various  military  duties.  They 
seldom  attempted  any  defence,  acknowledged 
their  guilt  with  unexpressive  countenances, 
and  were  at  once  remanded  to  the  guard- 
house. They  could  forecast  their  punishment 
with  considerable  accuracy ;  for  a  garrison 
court  had  but  limited  powers,  and  quite  gen- 
erally adjudged  penalties  in  accordance  with 
the  terms  of  an  accepted  schedule.  Thus,  a 
soldier  on  the  lingering  edge  of  virtue  might 
say  to  himself:  "If  I  go  to  the  sutler's  to- 
night and  get  drunk,  I  shall  miss  reveille  in 
the  morning ;  then  the  court  will  soak  me  for 
a  two-dollar  blind.  Is  it  worth  while  ?  "  The 
answer  would  be  dependent  upon  the  sol- 
dier's predisposition  and  the  attractions  then 
offered  by  the  sutler;  but  if  it  was  in  the 
affirmative,  the  court  seldom  failed  to  satisfy 
his  expectations. 

When  Burton's  case  was  called,  no  defence 
was  made.  Wallace,  in  his  dual  capacity  of 
judge  advocate  of  the  court  and  of  counsel 
for  the  prisoner,  had  ascertained  from  Burton 
that  his  plea  would  be  "  guilty,"  and  no  wit- 
nesses had  been  summoned  for  either  side. 
The  charge  was  read,  the  plea  of  "  guilty  " 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  69 

entered,  and  Burton  remanded  to  the  custody 
of  the  guard.  The  court  reached  a  finding 
in  accordance  with  the  plea.  There  was 
then  a  slight  pause. 

"Will  some  one  propose  a  sentence?" 
asked  Wallace. 

Major  Remmick,  who  was  president  of 
the  court,  came  from  behind  his  newspaper. 
"The  charge  was — ?"  he  inquired  absently. 

"Out  of  barracks  after  taps,"  said  Wallace. 

"  And  he  pleaded  guilty  ?  " 

"HecUd." 

"Ah-h,  somebody  give  a  guess.  It  ain't 
worth  much,"  he  concluded,  returning  to  his 
paper.  It  was  too  slight  a  matter  to  occupy 
his  attention  on  a  drowsy  forenoon.  No  one 
appeared  impressed  with  the  enormity  of  the 
offence. 

"  Dollar,"  at  length  was  suggested  by  Law- 
rence, the  junior  member.  No  other  penalty 
was  proposed. 

"  One  dollar  ?  "  inquired  Wallace,  directing 
an  interrogatory  glance  on  each  member. 
Nods  and  grunts  signified  assent.  "  Fine, 
one  dollar,"  said  Wallace,  making  a  note  of 
it.     Lawrence  laughed  cynically. 

"  Wish  now  I'd  said  two  bits,"  said  he. 


60  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"  No  more  cases  to  come  before  the  court," 
Wallace  amiounced,  with  relief.  It  was  his 
duty  to  write  out  iu  prescribed  form  the  pro- 
ceedings in  each  case  tried,  and  to  submit 
them  to  the  adjutant  the  next  morning.  lie 
had  quite  enough  to  occupy  him  for  the  day. 

"  If's  no  objection,  court's  adjourned.  Court 
is  adjourned,"  declared  the  Major,  rising  from 
his  chair  and  buckling  on  his  sword.  Then 
the  dispensers  of  justice  walked  forth  with  a 
step  of  conscious  integrity  from  the  scene  of 
their  completed  labors. 

Garrison  duty  was  not  arduous,  only  tedious. 
The  Line  was  crowded,  many  officers  were 
present  for  duty,  and  there  was  nothing  to  be 
done  beyond  an  occasional  roll-call,  an  hour 
of  drill,  and  the  sundown  parade.  It  is  not 
to  be  doubted  that  thanks  were  offered  up 
for  even  the  milk-and-watery  excitement  of  a 
court  martial. 

It  was  a  custom  with  the  officers  to  assemble 
each  morning  at  headquarters  to  salute  the 
commanding  officer  and  to  exchange  greetings 
with  each  other.  After  this  formality,  time 
would  occasionally  hang  heavy  and  show  a 
disposition  to  linger  in  the  garrison,  till  many 
a  man  had  more  of  it  on  his  hands  than  he 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  61 

knew  what  to  do  with.  The  shadow  on  the 
old  sundial,  planted  midway  of  the  parade, 
crawled  with  exasperating  slowness  ;  the  gar- 
rison flaQ-  hancr  motionless  in  glowing  bars: 
the  flagstaff  listed  wearily  from  the  perpen- 
dicular ;  dogs  arose,  stretched,  and  slept  again ; 
the  pulses  lagged;  the  world  ceased  swinging; 
and  over  all  was  unappeasable  time,  slowly 
dissolving  in  the  silence  of  eternity.  In  these 
echoes  of  great  solitudes,  young  and  unaccus- 
tomed lieutenants  sometimes  became  morose 
and  irritable ;  but  oftener  they  developed  a 
congeniality  with  surroundings,  and  lived 
a  placid,  contented,  routine-duty  existence, 
broken  only  by  sudden  and  unfrequent  ex- 
cursions of  a  warlike  character  in  the  field. 
These  were  anticipated  with  eagerness,  and 
dwelt  upon  afterwards  with  tenacious  regard. 
Wallace  had  said,  soon  after  joining,  that  he 
was  disappointed  in  the  life ;  he  had  looked 
for  something  active  and  stirring,  and  he 
thought  his  athletic  training  had  missed  of 
its  purpose.  But  after  a  few  of  those  emer- 
gency calls  for  outside  duty,  he  admitted  that 
there  was  another  side  to  it,  and  was  satisfied. 
"  And  after  all,"  said  Burns,  who  was 
Wallace's  captain  and  the  patient  victim  of 


62  IN    BLUE    UNIFOEM 

his  soul's  outpouring,  "garrison  life  isn't  so 
bad.     There's  one  feature  jou  forget." 

"Wliat  is  that?"  asked  Wallace,  perfunc- 
torily. 

"The  ladies,"  said  Burns,  with  finality. 

"  Oh  yes ;  they  are  ever  with  us,"  returned 
the  youngster.  "  I  didn't  forget  them.  How 
could  I?"  And  then  he  laughed  wickedly 
at  the  memory  of  stories  told  him  of  garrison 
gossips. 

"No,  I  didn't  suppose  you  had  forgotten 
them,  but  I  thouglit  you  might  remember 
them  a  little  better.  It  comes  pretty  hard  on 
them  sometimes,  this  life  does ;  but  they 
don't  grumble  half  as  bad  as  the  men.  I've 
been  in  the  army  thirty-five  years,  and  mar- 
ried for  every  one  of  those ;  I  have  had  some 
experience  in  these  matters,"  said  Burns. 

"  Yes,  I  reckon  that  might  be  so,"  assented 
Wallace. 

"  What  would  a  post  be  like  without  them  ?  " 
demanded  the  Captain. 

Wallace  considered  f arsightedly.  "  I  know," 
said  he.     "  It  would  be  just  a  hell-hole." 

"That's  what,"  said  Burns,  emphatically. 
He  added  disconnectedly ;  "  That's  good 
whiskey  of  yours,     Where'd  you  get  it  ?  " 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  63 

"It's  some  I  had  sent  up  from  Galveston," 
replied  Wallace,  setting  out  the  glasses. 
"  How !  "  said  the  two  simultaneously,  and 
drank.  "  It  is  smooth  stuff,  but  'most  gone. 
I'll  have  to  come  down  to  e very-day  drinking- 
fluid  pretty  soon,"  Wallace  added. 

"All  whiskey's  good,  but  some  is  better 
than  others,"  said  Burns,  speaking  from  his 
experience  of  thirty-five  years  and  quoting 
the  "  Kentucky  Colonel." 

Wallace  lay  back  in  his  chair,  and  twirled 
his  empty  glass  uneasily.  He  was  thinking 
of  making  a  confession,  and  dreaded  to  do  so, 
the  more  as  he  knew  it  would  be  entirely 
unexpected  by  Burns.  It  had  several  times 
presented  itself  to  his  mind  as  the  proper 
thing  to  do,  but  never  had  an  occasion  so 
propitious  as  this  occurred.  Burns  had  fairly 
introduced  the  conversation,  and  had  induced 
this  thought,  in  speaking  of  the  army  women. 
At  last  he  cleared  his  throat  with  so  mighty 
an  effort  that  Burns  looked  up  in  surprise. 

"  Bronchitis  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  No.  Heart  trouble,"  said  Wallace,  with 
an  uneasy  laugh. 

"  I'm  sorry,"  said  Burns,  with  a  doubting 
twinkle  in  his  eye. 


64  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"  I  ought  to  tell  you,"  began  Wallace,  "  as 
you're  my  captain,  and  I'll  likely  be  with 
your  company  some  years,  I  think  I  ought  to 
tell  you  something  of  my  plans."  He  hes- 
itated, and  Burns  looked  at  him  kindly. 
"  Before  many  months,  I  want  to  get  a  leave, 
and  go  back  East.  There  —  I'm  —  engaged 
to  a  girl,  back  there  —  and  I  want  to  marry 
her  and  bring  her  out." 

He  stopped  quite  out  of  breath  and  with 
his  heart  in  his  throat,  wondering  how  Burns 
would  take  it.  Some  captains,  he  knew, 
preferred  bachelor  lieutenants,  because  they 
required  but  little  baggage  space  on  marches 
from  station  to  station. 

"  How  soon  do  you  mean  to  do  this  ? " 
asked  Burns. 

"  We  haven't  settled  on  the  date  yet,"  said 
Wallace,  at  once  introducing  the  girl  as  a 
factor,  "  but  within  a  year,  surely." 

"  Well,  if  I  might  give  you  a  bit  of 
advice  —  " 

"  Certainly." 

"  I  would  say  to  wait  till  you  rank  some- 
body. You  are  the  junior  lieutenant  now, 
and  would  have  to  depend  on  charity  for  a 
housekeeping  set  of  quarters." 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  65 

"  It's  a  shame  the  government  doesn't 
provide  more  quarters  !  "  declared  Walhice, 
angrily,  voicing  a  sentiment  as  old  as  the 
army.  The  Captain  looked  at  him  with  an 
amused  expression,  and  said :  — 

"  That's  so.  But  the  government's  quite 
shameless  in  the  matter."  Then  he  added 
in  an  entirely  different  tone,  "  I  suppose  you 
thought  this  would  surprise  me,  didn't  you  ?  " 

"  Why,  yes.  I  am  sure  no  one  knew  it. 
I  have  told  no  one  but  you,"  replied  the  boy, 
himself  surprised. 

"  That's  where  you  are  wrong.  Every- 
body knows  it,  — '  everybody  '  meaning  the 
ladies  and  those  they  have  admitted  to  their 
confidence.  So  I  have  been  expecting  this 
from  you." 

"I  am  glad  I  told  you,"  said  Wallace, 
simply.     "  But  how  did  they  know  ?  " 

"  By  the  chance  exercise  of  a  little  feminine 
ingenuity  for  which  they  might  be  praised, 
not  blamed,"  said  Burns.  "  It  comes  from 
the  weakness  of  Savage,  the  old  soldier  who 
distributes  the  mail.  He  is  so  old  and  de- 
crepit that  he  can  do  nothing  else,  you  know, 
so  he  is  kept  at  that  till  an  opportunity 
comes  for  sending  him  to  the  Soldiers'  Home. 


QQ  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

He  is  a  box  of  chatter  and  gossip,  and  takes 
a  childish  delight  in  playing  postman.  He 
never  forgets  the  quantity  or  quality  of  any 
one's  mail.  To  test  his  memory,  the  ladies 
sometimes  ask  him  how  others  on  the  Line 
have  fared.  '  Was  there  any  mail  for  Mrs. 
Burns  this  morning?'  one  would  ask.  '  Yes, 
ma'am,  two  letters  and  a  postal,'  he  would 
say.  '  And  did  Miss  Burns  have  any  ? ' 
'  She  had  a  paper  and  one  letter,  but  I  couldn't 
make  out  the  postmark.'  So  it  would  go. 
They  say  it  is  all  for  the  pleasure  of  testing 
Savage's  memory,  but  it  might  be  turned  to 
2:)ractical  account.  You  probably  see  how 
they  became  satisfied  you  were  spoken  for?" 

"  I  suppose  so,"  said  Wallace,  slowly. 

"  Many  letters  —  similar  appearance  — 
square  envelopes  —  feminine  handwriting  — 
same  postmark  —  easy  enough,  you  see." 
Burns  laughed  good-naturedly,  but  Wallace 
was  not  happy. 

"  I  don't  mind  it's  being  known,"  said  he, 
"  but  in  that  way  —  You  know,  I  don't  like 
it.  Of  course  there's  no  harm  done,  but  it 
shows  a  spirit  that  —  that  I  don't  like.  It  is 
too  much  like  interference.  It  doesn't  matter 
this  time,  but  some  time  it  might  be  different." 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  67 

"But  it's  a  fine  check,  don't  you  see?" 
persisted  Burns.  "  A  fellow  is  going  to  walk 
pretty  straight  when  he  knows  that  every 
woman  in  garrison  will  be  listening  to  the 
sound  of  his  steps.  It  is  a  great  moral  en- 
gine," he  added,  laughing  with  a  touch  of 
cynicism. 

"I  think.  Captain,  that  an  officer  in  the 
army  should  be  very  careful  how  he  walks, 
without  regard  to  comment.  You  know 
we  are  always  hearing  about  the  '  high  army 
sense  of  honor,'  and  officers  are  expected  to 
be  a  little  more  strict  in  their  ideas  of  right 
than  other  men.  I  don't  object  to  that  —  I 
rather  like  it;  I  want  to  be  thought  very 
honorable.  But  we  both  know  that  officers 
are  given  to  fostering  that  notion  among 
civilians;  and  here  we  get  down  to  inside 
facts,  and  find  that  they  have  to  have  a  spur 
to  stand  in  fear  of.  I  tell  you  it  makes  me 
feel  that  there's  no  more  honor  in  the  army 
than  out  of  it,  and  I've  always  flattered  my- 
self that  there  was."  Wallace  looked  very 
soldierly  as  he  said  this,  and  quite  ready  to 
renounce  everything  for  the  sake  of  an  ideal 
standard  of  honor. 

"It's    a    grand    check,"    repeated  Burns, 


68  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

lamely,  harking  back  over  Wallace's  fine 
outburst.  "It  is  an  excellent  thing  when 
you  come  to  look  at  it  in  that  way." 

"  But  I  don't  look  at  it  that  way,"  persisted 
Wallace. 

"Never  mind:  it's  all  right.  You  will  — 
after  you  are  married,"  laughed  the  Captain. 


V 


For  an  unfledged  chick  at  soldiering  and 
a  presumable  ignoramus  in  the  fine  art  of 
strategy,  Wallace  did  some  very  good  work 
after  the  visit  of  his  captain.  In  the  course 
of  his  thoughts  that  night  he  decided  that 
it  would  be  impolitic  for  him  to  wait  for  the 
suggestive  glances  and  words  of  the  ladies  to 
worm  from  him  the  fact  of  his  engagement, 
and  he  was  sure  that  would  be  their  next 
step.  For  himself  and  for  the  girl  he  meant 
to  marr}^,-  it  would  be  much  better  that  he 
should  bravely  announce  the  condition  of 
his  expectations. 

Sallying  forth  the  next  day,  he  looked  up 
and  down  the  Line  for  a  weak  point  on 
which  to  make  his  attack ;  and  seeing  a  con- 
course of  ladies  on  Mrs.  Remmick's  porch, 
concluded  that  a  kind  fate  had  thrown  them 
in  his  way,  and  turned  towards  them  at  once. 
He  preferred  to  engage  the  enemy  en  masse 
rather  than  to  scatter  his  force  from   point 

CO 


70  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

to  point,  and  be  obliged  to  trust  in  many- 
independent  tongues  for  the  telling.  As 
he  walked,  he  whistled.  Object,  apparent 
unconcern. 

"  Here  comes  Man-With-A-  Girl  -  In  -  The- 
East,"  said  Mrs.  Bates  beneath  her  breath  as 
lie  approached.     Every  one  looked  up. 

"  Oh  !  Mr.  Wallace  I  Dear  me,"  murmured 
Mrs.  Remmick. 

"  Don't  let  him  hear  you  call  him  that ! " 
gurgled  Miss  Burns  in  Mrs.  Bates's  ear.  "  If 
he  should  know  that  we  know  what  we  know, 
it  would  spoil  all  the  fun !  "  She  snuggled 
in  her  seat  with  a  kittenish  motion,  and 
anticipated  Wallace's  arrival  with  enjoyment. 
She  had  acquired  the  certain  age  at  which 
single  women  enjoy  inflicting  delicate  torture 
on  a  male  victim. 

"  Good  morning,  everybody  !  "  called  Mr. 
Wallace,  genially,  throwing  off  his  cap  and 
seating  himself  on  the  lower  step.  There 
was  a  chorus  of  glad  replies.  Mrs.  Remmick 
pressed  him  to  come  up  on  the  porch,  but  he 
would  not.  "  I  like  this  place,"  said  he.  "It 
is  safer.  I  can  talk  with  you  and  gaze  upon 
3^ou  all  from  afar,  and  if  need  be,  I  can 
execute  a  masterly  retreat." 


IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM  71 

"  The  idea  of  running  away  from  us !  " 
ejaculated  Mrs.  Eagan.  The  group  laughed 
shrilly  at  the  mental  picture  of  a  lone  lieu- 
tenant fleeing  down  the  Line  from  their  pres- 
ence. The  two  little  girls  of  Dr.  Sanders 
came  laughing  down  the  steps,  and  sat  be- 
side him  and  held  his  hands  with  juvenile 
freedom. 

"  You  can't  run  away  from  us,"  they  de- 
clared triumphantly. 

"  I'd  never  want  to.    But  why  couldn't  I  ?  " 

"  Because  we'd  run  away  with  you,"  they 
gurgled. 

"  Well  !  Bravo  !  Mrs.  Remmick,  here 
are  two  deserters  from  your  camp,"  cried 
Wallace.  "Are  there  more  to  follow?  At 
this  rate  I'll  soon  be  strong  enough  to  hold 
my  own  against  you." 

"  We  see  so  little  of  you  nowadays,  Mr. 
Wallace,"  interjected  Mrs.  Bates,  mildly  tak- 
ing him  to  task.     "  Are  you  .so  busy?  " 

"  Not  so  busy  now  as  before  the  mails  got 
so  irregular.  That  deranges  my  daily  plan 
of  life,"  said  he,  with  a  smile  intended  to 
provoke  comment.     It  had  the  desired  effect. 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Wallace !  Have  you  so  many 
correspondents,  then  ?     Or  is  it  all  to  one  ? 


72  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

You  neglect  us  shamefully!  We  tJiought 
there  was  something  on  your  mind." 

"  Not  on  my  mind  —  my  lieart ;  and  such 
a  weight!  Ah!  If  I  dared  unfold —  But, 
no.  And  here  comes  Savage  with  the  mail, 
after  an  unexplained  absence  of  three  days. 
All  other  considerations  will  now  kindly  sink 
from  sight." 

The  old  soldier  came  limping  laboriously 
up  the  Line,  and  stopped  at  the  group.  He 
had  mail  for  nearly  everybody,  but  before 
delivering  it  he  performed  his  more  immedi- 
ate military  duty  of  saluting  Wallace  punc- 
tiliously. 

"Lef tenant,  I  knocked  at  your  door,  but 
I  didn't  get  no  answer,  so  I  just  left  your 
mail  on  the  hall  table,"  said  he. 

"That  was  all  right,  Savage.  What  was 
it?" 

"  There  were  the  papers,  sir,  and  some  offi- 
cial correspondence,  and  three  letters,  sir." 

"Three!  That's  one  a"  day  for  the  past 
three  days.  Are  they  alike  or  different. 
Savage  ?  " 

"  All  alike,  sir,  with  big  square  envelopes, 
and  long  slantin'  handwritin'." 

"Ah,  yes.     Those   will   be  from  my  fian- 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  73 

c^e."  He  said  this  as  though  to  himself. 
There  was  an  unmistakable  rustle  of  surprise 
above  him  on  the  porch,  which  he  uoted  with 
satisfaction. 

"Yes,  sir,  I  expect  they  be,"  assented 
Savage,  with  the  deferential  manner  of  a 
soldier  in  the  presence  of  his  officer's  opinion. 
"  Shall  I  go  and  fetch  them  up  to  you,  sir  ?  " 

"No,  never  mind,  Savage.  They'll  keep. 
It's  all  right."  Then,  as  the  old  soldier 
saluted  and  limped  awa}',  he  turned  and 
nipped  an  outburst  of  pretty  exclamation. 

"  That  slipped  out  unawares,"  said  he,  de- 
ceitfully. "  It  was  awfully  awkward  of  me 
to  speak  so  before  Savage,  but  it  was  kind  of 
him  to  aofree  with  me.  It  shows  we  have  an 
understanding.  Just  suppose  that  he  had 
denied  the  statement  —  what  a  pickle  I  should 
have  been  in !  "  He  laughed  a  little  at  the 
notion. 

"  But  are  you  really,  truly,  engaged,  then  ? 
And  ought  we  to  congratulate  you  ?  "  queried 
Mrs.  Bates,  eagerly,  and  in  the  greatest 
doubt. 

"  If  you  don't,  I  shall  take  it  as  very  un- 
kind of  you,  I  am  sure  ;  for  I  really  and  truly 
am  engaged,  and  I  really,  truly,  came  up  just 


74  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

now  to  announce  the  fact.  Wasn't  that 
kind  of  me  ?  You  will  overlook  my  abrupt 
method,  I  am  sure.  And  here's  her  jDicture," 
he  added,  handing  up  a  photograph.  It  was 
passed  from  hand  to  hand,  and  everybody 
said  she  was  a  very  pretty  girl. 

"Now  tell  me  that  you're  all  immensely 
surprised,"  he  implored,  when  he  had  gotten 
his  property  back. 

"Indeed  we  are.  You  were  never  sus- 
pected," declared  several,  in  close  succession 
and  with  varying  degrees  of  emphasis. 

"Never  suspected  it  in  the  world?"  he 
insisted,  looking  from  one  to  another  in  the 
group,  inquiringly. 

"  Never.     Never,"  they  repeated. 

"I  am  glad  of  that,  for  I  like  to  be  the 
bearer  of  good  news  and  pleasant  surprises. 
I  didn't  know  but  Savage  had  gotten  ahead 
of  me,  and  betrayed  my  confidence ;  but  for- 
tunately I  find  him  trustworthy." 

"  But  you  haven't  told  us  her  name ! " 
cried  some  one,  suddenly.  And  others  at 
once  demanded  her  name  as  their  just  due, 
after  having  praised  her  photograph. 

But  here  Wallace  grew  red,  and  refused  to 
be  cajoled.     He  could  not  bring  himself  to 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  75 

speak  her  name  before  these  women.  There 
were  some  araono-  them  to  whom  he  had  no 
objection;  they  had  not  lent  themselves  to 
the  deception.  But  he  harbored  a  strong 
feeling  of  resentment  against  tlie  others  for 
the  spirit  of  petty  inquisitiveness  they  had 
displayed ;  and  before  them  his  lips  refused 
to  speak  the  loved  words. 

"She  is  no  one  you  know,  I'm  sure,"  said 
he,  somewhat  ungraciously.  "  Til  tell  you  all 
some  time  —  before  the  cards  are  out."  Fur- 
ther than  this  he  would  not  say.  And  just 
then  the  orderly  issued  from  headquarters 
and  blew  officers'  call  on  the  bugle  in  a  ner- 
vous staccato  that  betokened  something  un- 
usual. "  I'm  in  luck  to-day,"  said  Wallace, 
ambiguously ;  and  he  immediately  hurried 
away  to  join  the  officers  then  gathering  in 
Colonel  Bruff's  office. 

Although  the  call  was  blown  at  an  unusual 
hour,  the  group  of  ladies  did  not  display  a 
marked  interest  in  it.  There  had  been  times 
in  the  experience  of  some  of  them  when  it 
had  been  a  forerunner  of  months  of  danger- 
ous and  difficult  campaigning,  during  which 
they  had  been  forced  to  remain  alone  and  un- 
informed in  stagnated  posts.     The  memories 


76  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

of  these  days  drove  the  blood  back  upon  their 
hearts,  and  they  looked  at  one  another  ques- 
tioningly.  But  a  moment's  reflection  reas- 
sured them,  and  they  did  not  voice  the  fear 
that  had  momentarily  crept  in.  It  happens 
that  women  in  the  army  continually  develop 
a  rare  degree  of  courage.  On  this  occasion 
the  lack  of  recent  rumors  of  Indian  troubles 
led  them  to  believe  that  nothing  serious  was 
in  the  wind  ;  it  might  be  some  new  feature  of 
garrison  discipline,  or  possibly  some  detached 
service,  but  nothing  to  cause  general  uneasi- 
ness. So  they  bent  to  the  work  in  their 
hands,  and  discussed  the  announcement  made 
by  Wallace. 

Hitherto,  it  had  been  only  whispered,  but 
now  that  Wallace  himself  had  sanctioned  it, 
they  could  speak  openly.  The  prospect,  how- 
ever remote,  of  a  new  bride  at  the  station, 
was  pleasantly  exciting.  They  reflected  that 
she  would  wear  the  latest  Eastern  styles  direct 
from  the  makers,  which  they  could  only  build 
for  themselves  from  published  fashion  plates 
and  patterns.  Thus  her  entrance  would  be 
attended  v/ith  danger  to  herself ;  for  an 
assertive  and  emphatic  manner  of  apparel 
would  be  construed  as  a  flaunt  or  a  menace  : 


IN    BLUE    UN  I  FOB  M  77 

and  while  her  triumph  would  be  as  short- 
lived as  the  fashions  themselves,  yet  she  could 
be  made  to  do  penance  in  many  ways  for 
a  long  time  after.  And  so  the  buzz  passed 
from  clothes  to  accomplishments,  and  looks, 
and  nature,  and  family ;  till  Mrs.  Eagan  burst 
into  a  loud  and  disconcerting  laugh,  at  which 
the  infantry  ladies  looked  up,  displeased. 

"Dear  me!"  said  she.  "How  we  are 
running  on,  talking  of  her  as  if  she  was  to 
come  to-morrow.  As  like  as  anyway,  half 
of  us  will  never  see  her.  To  me,  it  would 
be  far  more  interesting  to  know  why  Mr. 
Wallace  made  the  announcement  as  he  did." 

"  I  did  not  see  anything  peculiar  about  it," 
said  Mrs.  Remmick,  tentatively,  looking  about 
her  for  support;  and  the  ladies  rallied  to  her 
with  assenting  nods.  There  was  nothing 
strange  about  it,  to  them. 

"  Well,  it  is  a  little  different  from  the  way 
in  our  regiment,"  said  Mrs.  Eagan,  in  expla- 
nation. "  There,  the  announcement  is  always 
made  first  at  the  bachelors'  mess,  and  the 
health  of  the  bride-to-be  is  drunk  in  cham- 
pagne, and  there  are  congratulations,  and  a 
good,  sociable  time  generally.  It  is  after  that 
when  the  ladies  learn  it." 


78  IN    BLUE    UNIFOE^f 

"  Yes  ?  That  is  a  very  pleasant  custom  — 
for  some  regiments  —  I'm  sure,"  said  Mrs. 
Remmick,  assenting  with  care.  "  With  us, 
we  have  no  settled  custom  ;  it  has  never  been 
thought  necessary  or  worth  while.  Our  offi- 
cers are  very  considerate  of  the  ladies,  and 
knowing  that  we  take  a  special  interest  in 
such  matters,  usually  make  announcements 
directly  to  us.  I  am  sure  we  appreciate  their 
kindness  very  mucli." 

"  Oh  !  That  would  never  do  for  us.  The 
regiment  before  everything  else  !  "  declared 
Mrs.  Eagan,  setting  her  voice  on  an  unpleas- 
antly high  key.  Her  loyalty  was  unbounded, 
and  she  felt  compelled  to  uphold  the  practices 
of  her  regiment  against  all  comers. 

"  Yes,  that  is  the  cavalry  way,"  said  Mrs. 
Remmick,  with  commiserating  indulgence. 
"It  is  very  delightful.  But  how  dear  the 
thought  to  us  that  we  are  first !  I  do  not 
believe  our  regiment  suffers  through  the 
native  chivalry  of  its  officers." 

No,  indeed!  Her  cohort  of  ladies  agreed 
with  her.  And  they  set  their  stitches  with 
careful  precision  as  they  reflected,  between 
shots,  on  the  advantage  of  belonging  to  a 
superior   branch    of   the   service.     But   Mrs. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  79 

Eagan  unfortunately  betrayed  a  loss  of 
temper. 

"  Well,  I  must  say  I  don't  think  there  is 
much  chivalry  in  telling  what  is  already 
known.  With  us,  the  officers  take  the  bull 
by  the  horns  every  time.  They  don't  go 
'round,  grabbing  at  his  tail,"  said  she. 

"  Oh,  Mrs.  Eagan  !  "  exclaimed  several,  in 
shocked  tones.     "  That  is  perfectly  dreadful ! " 

"  Mr.  Wallace  acted  very  well  about  it," 
pursued  Mrs.  Remmick,  in  the  smoothest 
voice.  Her  manner  was  not  indicative  of 
the  sliofhest  waimth  of  feelincr.  "  He  made 
the  announcement  to  suit  himself,  which  was 
quite  independent  and  quite  right.  You 
really  cannot  mean  that  his  engagement 
was  known  —  that  he  had  already  told  it  to 
others  ?  " 

"  It  was  as  good  as  known,"  declared  Mrs. 
Eagan.  "  What  with  questioning  jjoor,  old, 
half-witted  Savage,  and  putting  two  and  two 
together —  " 

"Dear  Mrs.  Eagan!  You  give  us  credit 
for  too  much  perception  !  Remember,  please, 
we  are  only  infantrj^" 

Mrs.  Eagan  knotted  her  work  together. 
"  Well,  I  must  run  home.     I  see  the  Captain 


80  IN   BLUE    UNIFORM 

coming  from  headquarters  now.  After  all, 
the  7iiain  thing  is  the  getting  married." 

^'■3Iust  you  go?  Good  by!  No,  the  rest 
don't  signify,"  they  called  after  her.  Then 
they  settled  themselves  with  little  restful 
sighs,  and  looked  upon  Mrs.  Remmick  grate- 
fully. 

"You  are  what  J  call  a  loyal  woman,  Mrs. 
Remmick,"  declared  Mrs.  Burns. 

"  My  dear,  don't  mention  it,"  said  the  Ma- 
jor's wife,  with  true  sincerity.  "  I  do  so 
detest  these  little  garrison  spats  and  wran- 
gles, and  yet,  when  you  see  one  coming  you 
can't  run  away  from  it.  I  don't  know  why 
it  is,"  she  continued,  shaking  her  head,  "  that 
the  infantry  and  cavalry  and  artillery  are 
always  at  each  othei-'s  throats,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  staff  at  odds  with  all  three.  It  doesn't 
seem  right.  It  is  not  pleasant,  but  I  suppose 
it  has  to  be  so,"  she  concluded  with  fatalistic 
resignation. 

"  It's  professional  jealousy,  like  actors,  and 
—  and  those  people,"  said  wise  little  Mrs. 
Bates,  giggling  at  her  own  theory. 

The  officers  were  now  seen  issuing  from 
headquarters,  and  several  came  directly  up 
the  parade  to  where  the  ladies  sat. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  81 

"I  wish  Mrs.  Eagan  Imd  staid  to  see  that," 
remarked  Mrs.  Willard.  "  Coming  straight 
to  tell  us  all  the  news." 

"  Yes  ;  that  substantiates  my  theorj^"  said 
Mrs.  Remmick,  as  she  rose  to  receive  the 
officers.  "  Come  up,  gentlemen.  We  are 
all  attention." 

"  It  isn't  much,"  began  the  Major.  "  Noth- 
ing but  a  stage  robbery  —  " 

"  The  stage  !  And  Millicent  —  "  ejacu- 
lated Mrs.  Remmick,  in  fright. 

"  Millicent !  She  hasn't  come  yet,  has 
she  ?  Calm  yourself,  my  dear ;  it  is  all  right. 
The  Colonel  is  going  to  put  out  a  detail  to 
ride  with  the  stage  and  escort  it  each  way. 
Millicent  will  have  no  trouble  whatever." 

"  It  is  most  interesting,"  Lyndon  declared. 
"He  is  a  single  man  —  " 

"  Like  myself,"  said  Wallace,  blushing  red. 
They  laughed  at  his  avowal,  for  his  secret 
was  also  out  among  the  officers. 

"  We'll  hope  so,"  said  Lyndon.  "  But  a 
single,  bold,  bad,  robber-man.  He  is  account- 
able for  all  the  irregularities  of  the  mail 
lately.  If  you  ladies  miss  any  letters,  rest 
assured  they  will  be  found  in  his  pockets  — 
when  he  is  taken.  He  is  a  bold  fellow,  if  he 
is  a  road  agent." 


82  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"  Road  agents  generally  are,"  said  the 
Major,  commenting  from  experience. 

"Yes,  and  how  gallant !  "  interjected  Wal- 
lace, with  enthusiasm.  "  If  there  happens  to 
be  a  woman  on  the  stage,  which  isn't  often, 
she  might  be  as  old  as  Methuselah  and  cor- 
respondingly ugly,  but  he  wouldn't  touch 
her." 

"  Course  not,"  assented  the  Major.  "But 
how  if  she  was  young  and  pretty?  That's 
what  Mrs.  Remmick  is  worrying  about." 

"  Same  thing.  Major,"  cried  the  bo}^ 
"  Her  watch  and  her  purse  remain  hers. 
That's  the  story  they  tell  about  him  —  a 
regular  Claude  Duval,  or  any  of  those  past- 
masters." 

"We  must  expect  Wallace  to  admire  a 
gallant  bearing  wherever  he  may  find  it," 
said  Lyndon,  as  though  in  apology  for  the 
youngster.  "  He  is  at  just  that  congratula- 
tory stage  in  which  he  sheds  his  own  chival- 
rous light  on  every  one  and  every  thing  quite 
impartially."  Wallace  colored  under  the 
volley  of  light  laughter  this  produced. 

"  I  wouldn't  talk  if  I  were  you,  Captain," 
said  Mrs.  Remmick,  warningly. 

"  I  certainly  have  the  right  to  talk,'"  he  ex- 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  83 

postulated.  "  I  am  only  an  old  bachelor,  and 
have  no  expectations  like  his,"  indicating 
Wallace.  "  I'm  as  steady  and  reliable  as 
any  old  married  man  ;  for  instance,  now,  the 
Major  here." 

"Old?  Me  old?  I'll  swear  I'm  the  most 
youthful  fellow  here,  barring  looks  !  "  cried 
the  Major,  rousing  himself.  He  shook  his 
towsled  head  playfully,  like  a  mildly  assertive 
goat. 

"When  does  the  escort  go  out?"  asked 
Mrs.  Remmick,  anxiously. 

"  To-night.  Lawrence  goes  with  it  in 
command,  and  takes  camp  at  the  Colorado 
crossing,  riding  both  ways  with  the  stage 
from  there  to  Redtown.  That's  the  part  the 
gentleman  of  the  road  infests.  A  sergeant 
will  have  another  detail  at  the  Ten  Mile 
water-hole,  and  take  it  the  rest  of  the  way." 

"I'm  thankful,"  said  Mi'S.  Remmick. 

"  When  does  your  niece  come  ?  "  asked 
Lyndon. 

"We  look  for  her  in  a  couple  of  days, 
now.  Coming  so  far,  we  are  not  quite  sure 
what  day  she  will  arrive,"  she  replied. 

"  I  will  speak  to  Lawrence  before  he  goes 
out,  and  he  will  be  looking  after  her  at  Red- 


84  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

town,  if  lie  goes  that  far  —  as  of  course  he 
will,"  Ljaidon  continued. 

"  I  wish  you  would.  That's  very  kind  of 
you,  Captain.     And  Mr.  Lawrence — " 

"  Oh,  he  will  be  glad  of  the  chance." 

"  Well,  thank  him  for  me  in  advance ;  or 
I  may  see  him  myself  before  he  goes.  I  am 
Sflad  it  is  Mr.  Lawrence ;  I  wouldn't  have 
anything  happen  to  Millicent  for  the  world. 
Think  of  being  in  the  stage  when  it  is 
robbed!  She  would  be  frightened  to  death 
at  the  very  idea  !  " 

"  You  mean  you  would  be,  my  dear,"  inter- 
posed the  Major. 

"  No,  sir ;  I  am  speaking  of  Millicent.  She 
doesn't  know  the  first  thing  about  this  south- 
western country,"  she  continued,  turning  to 
the  group.  "  She  is  an  artist,  and  spends  her 
time  between  New  York  and  Paris." 

"  Sort  of  amphibious,  as  it  were,"  explained 
the  Major,  gravely. 

"You  ought  to  be  ashamed  to  say  such 
things  about  your  niece,  Major !  Call  her  a 
mermaid,  why  don't  you?"  Mrs.  Remmick 
said  this  in  such  a  way  that  the  Major  felt 
com[)limented.  "She  is  a  lovely  girl,  and 
very  talented.  She  has  had  pictures  in  the 
Exhibitions ! " 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  85 

"  I  hope  she  will  stay  with  us  a  long  time," 
said  Mrs.  Bates.  "  We  do  get  so  stupid  out 
here,  away  from  everything  and  everj'body. 
I  have  not  seen  a  picture  since  I  was  mar- 
ried." This  was  the  new  birth  from  which 
she  dated  her  life.  "I  just  long  for  some  one 
to  liven  me  up  a  little." 

"  I  have  no  idea  how  long  she  will  stay," 
said  Mrs.  Remmick ;  "  but  we  are  delighted 
at  the  idea  of  having  her  with  us,  and  shall 
keep  her  as  long  as  we  may." 

Later,  when  they  were  alone  together,  the 
Major  approached  his  wife  with  a  quizzical 
look. 

"  Why  didn't  3^ou  tell  them  Millicent  would 
stay  the  usual  length  of  time  ?  I  was  tempted 
to.     They  would  have  understood." 

"The  usual  length  — "  she  repeated,  won- 
deringly. 

"  Yes  ;  stay  till  she  gets  married,  of  course. 
What  else  do  girls  visit  isolated  army  posts 
for?" 

"  William  !  You  incorrigible  !  I  don't 
think  Millicent  would  have  to  look  far  for  a 
husband.  When  she  wants  one,  there  will  be 
a  plenty  to  choose  from.  She  will  have  to 
spend  no  time  in  searching." 


86  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"  You  will  never  make  these  women  here 
believe  anything  else  of  her  visit,"  he  de- 
clared. 

"  Why,  Millicent  is  devoted  to  her  art !  " 

"Exclusively?" 

"  Exclusively.  You  needn't  shake  your 
head !     She  doesn't  think  of  anything  else." 

"  She  must  be  different  from  other  girls," 
said  he,  skeptically. 

"She  is,"  declared  Mrs.  Remmick,  enthusi- 
astically. 

"Now,  you  will  never  make  me  believe 
that,"  declared  the  Major. 

Mrs.  Remmick  came  very  close  to  him. 
"  You  are  every  bit  as  much  a  boy  as  when 
I  first  knew  you,  and  you  had  nothing  there," 
said  she,  flatteringly,  and  putting  a  finger  on 
the  field  of  his  shoulder-strap.  "  And  now 
you  are  a  big,  pompous  major !  "  She  kissed 
him,  presumably  for  the  sake  of  the  memory. 
"  Now  leave  Millicent  alone,  and  let  her  have 
a  good  time." 

"  I  will,"  said  he,  in  mock  humility.  "  I 
hate  to  see  people  have  a  good  time,  but  I'll 
agree  to  let  her  alone.  It's  the  only  way  to 
keep  peace  in  the  family." 

"Brute  !  "  said  she,  laughing. 


VI 


The  west-bound  express  over  the  Texas 
and  Pacific  railroad  makes  a  breakfast  station 
of  Redtown,  and  there  is  always  a  fine  group- 
ing of  Texan  color  at  the  depot  for  the  sur- 
prised admiration  of  the  travellers.  But  it  is 
not  entirely  for  effect ;  the  gathering  is  quite 
natural.  The  passing  of  the  overland  trains 
is  an  event,  like  the  arrival  of  the  circus  ^  and 
the  long  line  of  cars,  with  rows  of  strange 
windowed  faces,  is  a  drawing  card.  The  train 
is  regarded  with  a  sort  of  su^Derior  toleration ; 
the  faces  of  passengers  are  scanned  curiously, 
for  there  is  no  telling  whom  one  may  not  see 
in  the  breadth  of  travel ;  and  there  is  not  so 
much  envy  of  these  speeding  voyagers  as 
there  is  of  a  sentiment  of  superiority  to  them. 
They  whirl  along  the  leagues,  but  can  know 
little  of  the  country,  for  Texas  is  wide  and 
the  line  of  rails  narrow ;  and  the  accustomed, 
acclimated  ones  who  lounge  about  and  view 
them  have  some  of-  the  spurning  of  hardy 
87 


88  IN    BLUE    UNIF0R3I 

pioneers  for  those  who  would  come  after 
them,  reaping  in  peace  and  safety  the  fruit  of 
their  toiL 

Millicent  Harding  descended  from  the 
sleeper  at  Redtown,  with  a  clear  sense  of 
relief  at  the  accomplishment  of  the  rail  stage 
of  her  journey.  From  New  York  to  Redtown 
is  so  far  that  one  has  ample  time,  even  on  a 
limited  express,  to  weary  of  the  miles.  And 
yet  the  transition  had  been  accomplished  so 
quickly  that  she  was  quite  unable  to  adapt 
herself  at  once  to  her  surroundings.  To  her 
it  was  all  as  new  and  strange  as  a  different 
civilization ;  and  it  was  not  so  very  far  from 
being  this.  It  was  not  alone  that  tlie  human 
beings  about  her  were  of  a  different  type  from 
anything  she  had  bafore  encountered,  but 
that  the  very  air  she  breathed  was  different. 
It  came  to  her  in  its  play  over  prairies  of 
unknown  extent,  so  strong,  so  virile,  that  it 
forced  the  lungs  open  and  intruded  itself  in 
long,  deep  draughts.  It  bore  into  the  heart 
a  supreme  sense  of  exaltation.  Millicent  had 
not  been  accustomed  to  think  herself  a  poor, 
wretched  thing  of  the  walled-in  city,  but  now 
she  wondered  with  a  secret  joy  at  the  change. 
It  was  so  gratefully  overpowering   that   for 


IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM  89 

the  first  moments  she  was  oblivious  to  every- 
thing else.  Then  she  became  aware  of  the 
curious  gaze  of  strangely  dressed  men,  with  a 
sense  of  annoyance.  But  in  a  moment  that 
j)assed.  They  looked  upon  her  as  with  the 
soft  eyes  of  dumb  animals.  And  as  her  prac- 
tised glance  took  in  colors  and  groupings, 
unstudied  and  picturesque,  her  first  conscious 
thought  was  of  a  desire  to  whip  out  canvas 
and  palette,  and  so  to  the  picture  before  her. 
But  all  these  accessories  were  in  her  baop-asre  : 
and  —  this  was  eminently  practical  —  the  bag- 
gage must  be  looked  after.  That  was  for  her 
to  do,  and  quickly. 

A  Jewish-looking  man  in  plaids  crossed 
her  path  with  a  lingering,  sidelong  glance,  as 
she  walked  down  the  platform  towards  the 
baggage  cars.  A  brown,  blanket-clad  Indian 
stood  like  a  post,  and  she  made  a  considerable 
detour  around  him.  A  drunken  man,  red- 
faced  and  filthy,  staggered  towards  her,  feebly 
singing,  and  was  suddenly  collared  out  of 
sight  by  a  tall,  lithe  cowboy  in  chaps,  with  a 
revolver  and  jingling  spurs.  A  swarthy 
Mexican  followed  her  with  his  eyes,  silently 
soliciting  her  admiration,  as  he  gracefully 
swung  his  brilliant  blanket  into  new  folds 
about  his  slender  form. 


90  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

And  there  were  yet  other  travellers  than 
herself,  anxious  about  their  baggage,  —  drum- 
mers from  all  the  world,  ranchmen  returning 
from  business  trips,  rolling  stones  out  for 
pleasure  only.  The  hissing  of  steam,  the 
clatter  of  trucks,  the  rhythmical  pounding  of 
the  dining-room  gong,  made  a  deafening  din. 
People  shouted  at  the  tops  of  their  voices, 
and  even  then  were  not  heard.  Millicent 
hesitated  on  the  outer  edge  of  the  turmoil, 
dreading  to  take  the  plunge ;  and  yet  it  had 
to  be  done.  And  just  then  she  heard  her 
name  spoken. 

"  Pardon  me  if  I  am  wrong,  but  is  not 
this  Miss  Harding?" 

A  slender  young  man  in  a  uniform  of  blue 
and  white  stood  by  her,  and  she  looked  into 
his  face  with  a  springing  sense  of  relief. 

"  Oh  yes." 

"  I  am  Mr.  Lawrence,  from  the  post.  Major 
Remmick  told  me  of  your  coming,  and  kindly 
commissioned  me  to  do  what  I  could  for  you. 
Now,  if  you  will  let  me  take  you  to  the  wait- 
ing-room —  or  will  you  have  breakfast?  " 

"  There  was  a  buffet  on  the  car,  thanks  —  " 

"  That  is  better.  I  have  eaten  at  Redtown 
—  once.     We   will  go  to  the  waiting-room. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  91 

I'll  take  your  checks,  please.  Everything 
else  is  quite  arranged." 

She  gave  them  to  him  thankfully.  "  I  am 
so  glad !  I  really  did  not  know  what  to  do, 
it  was  so  strange,"  she  confessed  weakly  to 
him. 

He  was  back  again  in  a  marvellously  short 
time,  and  took  her  to  the  stage,  which  was 
ready  for  starting.  "  They  don't  waste  much 
time  on  this  stage  line,"  he  explained.  "  For 
one  thing,  they  carry  the  mail,  and  so  they 
have  to  hurry.  It  will  seem  slow  to  you, 
however,  after  your  journey.  I  know,  be- 
cause I  sometimes  make  the  trip  myself.  But 
the  stage  gets  through  in  a  single  day,  and 
it's  ninety  miles.  You  can  believe  me,  they 
attend  strictly  to  business." 

Lawrence  opened  the  stage  door,  and  looked 
in.  "  Back  seat,  if  you  please,"  he  said  civ- 
illy to  some  one.     "  Back  seat  for  a  lady." 

The  back  seat  was  occupied  by  two  men  — 
one  a  ranchman  known  to  Lawrence,  the  other 
the  plaided  Jew.  The  ranchman  jumped  up, 
but  Lawrence  put  him  back. 

"  No,  not  you,  Mr.  Porter,"  he  said.  "  You 
had  engaged  your  seat.  This  one  here  I 
want,"  and  he  turned  to  the  Jew. 


92  IN  BLUE    UNIFORM 

"  But  this  is  engaged  too,"  said  the  occu- 
pant of  it.  "  It  is  taken,  occupied.  Don't 
you  see  it  is  ?  " 

Lawrence  thrust  his  body  within  the  stage, 
and  for  a  moment  there  was  the  sound  of  his 
voice  in  quiet  but  convincing  argument. 
From  time  to  time  Mr.  Porter  was  heard  as- 
senting.    Then  Lawrence  sprang  out,  smiling. 

"  Now,  if  you  please,"  said  he  to  Millicent. 

"I  don't  want  to  take  the  man's  seat," 
Millicent  protested  in  a  whisper.  "I  heard 
every  word  you  said,  and  it  was  awful !  I 
can  ride  backward  just  as  well,  or  with  the 
driver.     I  can't  take  his  seat." 

"  It  is  your  seat,"  said  Lawrence,  decidedly. 
"  It  had  been  engaged  for  you.  Believe  me, 
it  was  only  a  misunderstanding  on  the  part 
of  the  fellow.  Lie  did  not  know  the  custom 
out  here.     It  is  your  seat  by  every  right." 

"And  what  is  this  peculiar  custom,  Mr. 
Lawrence  ?  "  she  asked,  still  unyielding. 

"  Just  plain,  common  courtesy.  That's  all. 
You  must  get  in.  The  stage  Avaits."  And 
to  her  surprise  Millicent  found  herself  taking 
the  vacated  back  corner  without  further  pro- 
test, and  assisted  thereto  by  a  pair  of  strong 
arms. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  93 

"Mr.  Porter,  Miss  Harding;  niece  of  ]\Ia- 
jor  Remmick."  Lawrence  performed  a  hasty 
introduction.  "All  right!"  he  shouted  to 
the  driver  aloft.  A  crack  of  the  whip,  a 
sudden  careen  on  leathern  rocking  springs, 
and  the  stage  rolled  forward  to  the  beginning 
of  its  ninety  miles. 

Without  knowing  it,  Millicent  smiled  to 
herself  out  of  real  pleasure  at  her  experience 
with  Lawrence.  Here  was  a  young  man, 
gentle  and  dignified,  who  did  not  consult  her 
preference  but  assumed  to  judge  for  her,  and 
who,  with  complete  courtes3%  compelled  her 
to  accede  to  his  judgment.  To  be  sure,  she 
was  in  a  strange  land,  one  to  which  he  was 
as  a  native;  possibly  he  knew  best.  But 
such  autocracy  on  an  hour's  acquaintance 
amused  her.  Since  such  a  happening  had 
not  been  hers  before,  she  concluded  it  must 
be  the  army  way.  She  was  inclined  to  think 
there  was  something  likable  about  it,  but  on 
this  point  she  was  not  quite  clear.  It  might 
be  simply  her  satisfaction  in  having  the  most 
comfortable  seat  in  the  stage,  for  she  could 
understand  that  she  had.  All  the  seats  were 
occupied,  and  the  ousted  Jew  faced  her  from 
the  front.     He  looked  unhappy  as  he  jolted 


94  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

back  and  forth  with  the  motion  of  the  steer- 
age. He  did  not  have  the  moral  grace  of  his 
seatmate,  who  bumped  along  with  philosophic 
unconcern.  The  Jew's  acute  misery  affected 
her,  and  she  determined  to  offer  him  her  seat 
at  the  first  stopping-place,  out  of  sheer  pity. 
Of  course  there  would  be  towns  and  stopping- 
places  every  few  miles. 

She  was  the  only  woman  passenger,  but 
that  gave  her  uneasiness  on  but  a  single 
score.  If  the  men  wanted  to  smoke,  she  knew 
she  would  never  have  the  courage,  thus 
unsupported,  to  say  she  objected.  And  there 
were  cigars  sticking  out  of  their  pockets. 
And  tobacco-smoke  was  hateful  to  her.  And 
then  she  caught  the  untainted  breath  of  the 
new  morning  blowing  through  the  windows, 
and  the  outside  world  claimed  her  attention. 
It  eclipsed  all  other  matters;  it  was  worth 
her  while. 

The  road  was  taking  them  over  a  gently 
rounded  country,  rich  with  short,  green  grass, 
and  broken  here  and  there  in  its  smoothly 
swelling  distances  by  bushy  patches,  much 
like  transplanted  sections  of  a  forest's  under- 
growth. Coming  nearer  these,  they  were 
seen  to  be  little  groves  of  mesquite,  hardly 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  95 

to  be  dignified  as  trees.  The  thickets  were 
sparse  and  thin,  and  among  them  were  many- 
cattle.  Millicent  was  dimly  conscious  of  the 
ranchman  beside  her  saying  to  the  man  in 
front  that  cows  were  coming  on  well.  This 
chance  remark  became  to  her  as  a  part  of  the 
landscape.  As  they  fled  down  slopes  and 
rolled  smoothly  over  the  succeeding  summits, 
she  viewed  a  limitless  plain,  with  everywhere 
cattle,  cattle,  feeding  on  the  green  grass.  In 
that  clear  air  one  could  see  for  miles,  and  far 
away  dots  and  specks  transformed  themselves 
into  more  herds  to  please  the  ranchman's 
eye.  They  were  the  riches  of  the  country, 
and  the  season  was  prosperous.  Nowhere 
was  there  a  sign  of  roof  or  habitation  of  man, 
and  it  gave  her  a  feeling  of  awe,  of  sacrilege, 
to  be  thus  boldly  penetrating  a  land  popu- 
lated only  by  dumb  beasts.  The  vastness, 
the  uncontrolled  extent,  of  these  solitudes 
impressed  her  with  a  sense  of  human  little- 
ness and  of  her  own  unimportance  in  life. 
She  wondered  that  her  companions  could 
speak  of  cattle  and  their  money  equivalents 
in  such  a  place,  at  such  a  time.  And  then 
she  reasoned  that  they  were  accustomed  to 
it;   it  was  an  old  story,  and  familiarity  made 


96  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

it  common  ;  they  were  no  more  impressed  by- 
it  than  she  woukl  be  by  miles  of  paved  streets 
and  vistas  of  blocks  of  high  houses.  But 
would  it  ever  become  an  old  story  to  her? 

Occasionally  they  came  upon  brown  patches, 
where  the  grass  had  been  eaten  away  into  tlie 
roots.  Little  mounds  stood  irregularly  about 
these  places,  with  small  brown  monuments 
atop.  As  they  came  yet  closer,  the  monu- 
ments turned  somersaults,  and  fell  inside  the 
mounds.  This  was  very  startling,  until,  upon 
arrival,  the  place  resolved  itself  into  a  prairie- 
dog-  villasfe.  Each  little  brown  fellow  erected 
himself  on  top  his  habitation  to  view  the 
stage's  progress ;  and  when  it  came  within 
the  zone  of  danger  to  himself,  he  inconti- 
nently dipped  down  into  his  burrow,  and 
Millicent  would  see  but  the  vanishing  tip  of 
a  stumpy  tail  wagging  derisively  at  her  and 
all  the  world.  There  was  the  spirit  of  inde- 
pendence engendered  by  the  plains,  in  these 
tiny  creatures.  A  conceit  took  her  that  it 
was  no  more  than  the  audacious  impudence 
of  unbirched  schoolboys,  and  she  laughed  at 
the  sight. 

Mr.  Porter  looked  out  on  his  side.  "  Prai- 
rie-dogs," said  he.  "  E^er  see  them  before, 
Miss  Harding?" 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  97 

"  Never,"  said  she,  quickly.  "  But  I  knew 
what  they  were  the  moment  I  saw  them." 

"Not  to  have  seen  them  shows  you  are 
new  to  the  countrj^,"  he  continued,  doubtfully 
commiserating. 

"  I  am,  I  shall  have  to  admit,"  said  she. 
"  I  don't  like  to,  though,  for  I  can  understand 
it  is  little  to  my  credit.  How  you  people 
must  pity  us  poor  Easterners ! " 

"  We  like  to  have  you  get  out  here  and  see 
what  freedom  of  life  really  is ;  and  being  a 
'tenderfoot,'  as  the  term  goes,  isn't  so  bad. 
It  is  like  the  freshman  year  at  college  —  a  nec- 
essary prelude  to  the  good  things  to  come." 

"  Ah  !  you  know,  then,  —  " 

"  Yes ;  I'm  Yale  —  a  number  of  years  back, 
however,"  he  added,  in  extenuation  of  his 
weatherworn  appearance. 

"I  beg  your  pardon,"  said  INIillicent,  bit- 
ing her  lip  in  mortification  at  being  caught 
sitting  in  hasty  judgment;  "I  might  have 
known." 

"  I  don't  see  how,  unless  you  are  a  seeress," 
he  laughed  at  her.  "  The  visible  varnish  and 
gilding  rub  off  pretty  quickly  when  one  does 
really  begin  to  live." 

Mr.  Porter's  companion  on  the  front  seat 


98  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

leaned  forward  with  the  impressive  manner 
of  one  with  information  to  impart.  "  Talk- 
in'  of  prairie-dogs  and  tenderfeet,"  said  he, 
"•I've  seed  a  dog,  a  tenderfoot  dog,  chase 
them  little  fellers  all  day  under  the  idee  that 
he  mouglit  ketch  one  of  them.  He  was  a 
hunter  dog  from  the  East,  and  he  was 
a-showin'  off;  ary  yeller  dog  in  Texas  would 
have  knowed  better.  Of  co'se  he  nuvver 
ketched  one,  and  you  nuvver  see  so  surprised 
a  critter  as  he'd  be  w'en  he'd  sneak  on  a  bur- 
row and  jes'  see  the  tip  o'  the  tail  going 
down.  He  run  all  day  till  he  nachelly  wore 
his  footses  out,  and  had  to  be  tuk  up  and 
carried.  And  that's  why  they  calls  'em  '  ten- 
derfeet' now."  He  sat  back  gravely  and 
spat  out  of  the  window. 

"Mr.  Veck,"  said  Mr.  Porter,  by  way  of 
necessary  introduction,  "  and  one  of  the  best 
men  on  the  ranch.    You  are  going  to  the  fort  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  I  am  to  visit  my  uncle.  Major  Rem- 
mick,"  replied  Millicent,  still  laughing  at 
Veck's  explanation  of  a  common  term. 

"Ah,  I  know  the  Major.  A  good  man 
every  way.  Will  you  kindly  give  him  my 
regards?     Mr.  Porter  of  the  Cross-bar  ranch." 

Millicent  felt  a  thrill  of  pride  at  hearing 


IN    BLUE    UNIF0n3I  09 

such  ready  praise  of  her  uncle,  and  ghidly 
promised. 

Just  without  the  town  they  had  passed  a 
military  detail  beside  the  road.  There  had 
been  four  armed  soldiers  on  a  buckboard. 
Now,  looking  back  around  a  turn,  Millicent 
saw  that  they  were  following  the  stage  at  a 
little  distance  behind  its  dust.  And  just 
then  Mr.  Lawrence,  mounted  on  a  white 
horse,  rode  up  from  some  unseen  place,  and 
called  out  cheerily : 

"  Well !     All  right  inside  ?  " 

Millicent  looked  out  at  him  in  some  sur- 
prise. "I  thought  we  had  left  you  miles 
behind !  "  she  cried. 

"  Me  ?  Oh  no.  Can't  be  shaken  off  so 
easily  as  that.  You  are  being  highly  honored, 
Miss  Harding  —  military  escort,  mounted, 
and  solely  on  your  account." 

"  How  nice  of  you ! "  said  she,  not  quite 
understanding  him.  In  her  dark  civilianism 
she  could  not  separate  the  grain  of  his  remark 
from  the  chaff.  "  Why  isn't  there  a  brass 
band  ?     Can't  I  have  one  ?  " 

"  Wait  till  you  get  to  the  post.  You  shall 
have  all  you  want,  and  even  more,  if  you  are 
easily  satisfied." 


100  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

He  turned  his  horse's  head,  and  galloped 
away  from  the  stage  to  a  little  rise  of  land. 
Miilicent  learned  from  Mr.  Porter,  as  she 
watched  his  course,  that  this  was  an  escort 
sent  to  protect  mails  and  passengers  from 
highwaymen.  There  had  been  many  rob- 
beries of  late,  and  this  was  Colonel  Bruff's 
way  of  putting  a  stop  to  them.  The  armed 
men  on  the  buckboard  were  there  for  busi- 
ness, not  for  show. 

"  And  Mr.  Lawrence  ?  "  she  asked. 

"  I  suj^pose  he  is  in  command  of  the  detach- 
ment. They  are  in  camp  at  the  crossing  of 
the  Colorado.  It  will  be  no  picnic  for  him, 
either,  but  plain,  steady,  hard  riding  and 
watchfulness  until  he  is  relieved." 

Miilicent  looked  out  to  see  him  swooping 
from  summit  to  summit,  outlined  on  his 
white  horse  against  tlie  pale  blue  sky.  lie 
rode  erect,  and  with  such  ease  that  he  seemed 
like  a  part  of  the  horse.  Long  practice  had 
taught  him  to  accomplish  great  distances 
with  the  minimum  of  fatigue  to  both  horse 
and  rider.  There  was  none  of  the  j)lay  and 
affectation  of  many  school-horsemen  about 
him,  and  Miilicent  smiled  to  think  how  in- 
congi'uous  such  a  rider  would  appear  in  that 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  101 

setting.  Yet  Lawrence  had  been  trained  in 
as  severe  a  school  as  any. 

"  How  well  he  rides  !  "  w^as  her  involuntary 
comment. 

"He  does,"  said  Mr.  Porter,  readily. 
"West  Point  does  that,  if  nothing  more,  for 
the  army  officers.  They  do  know  what 
horses  are  for,  and  that  is  important  knowl- 
edge out  here.  jVIr.  Lawrence  rides  quite 
like  a  cowboy.  Here  comes  one  now ;  look 
at  him." 

A  speck  was  rising  and  falling  across  the 
plain  and  coming  nearer.  Millicent  could 
not  have  told  at  that  distance  what  it  was, 
but  to  the  practised  eye  of  Mr.  Porter  the 
motion  was  sufficient  information.  A  distant 
cowboy  was  riding  to  intercept  the  stage  and 
get  the  mail  for  some  ranch  hidden  from 
view.  As  he  came  nearer,  Millicent  beheld 
him  with  amazement. 

"  Why,  he  hasn't  the  reins  at  all !  "  she 
exclaimed. 

"  No,"  said  Mr.  Porter,  with  smiling  appre- 
ciation ;  "  he  is  guiding  the  pony  entirely 
with  his  legs  now.  His  hands  are  busy  roll- 
ing a  cigarette  of  loose,  dry  tobacco  in  a 
cornhusk.     Now  he  strikes  a  match  and  gets 


102  IN    BLUE    UNIFOEM 

a  light.  It  is  quite  a  feat,  Miss  Harding, 
when  a  breeze  is  blowing.  To  tell  you  the 
truth,  I  doubt  if  Mr.  Lawrence  could  do  it." 

The  cowboy  rode  up,  took  what  was  given 
liim,  and  was  away  without  a  word  to  any 
one.  He  rose  and  fell  rhythmically  till  he 
became  a  dark  speck,  and  finally  faded  from 
sight  in  the  midst  of  the  living  green.  Milli- 
cent  was  an  accomplished  horsewoman  and 
had  seen  exhibitions  by  good  riders,  but  she 
had  never  beheld  so  finished  a  style  of  riding 
as  he  displayed.  She  turned  to  Mr.  Porter 
with  a  face  expressive  of  admiration. 

"  There  is  a  type.  That  is  the  result  of 
the  plains  school  of  riding,"  said  Mr.  Porter, 
with  quiet  pride. 

A  table-topped  elevation,  called  by  cour- 
tesy a  mountain,  had  been  menacing  their 
progress  for  an  hour,  and  now  they  drew  up 
under  its  brow.  The  stage  ranch  was  at  that 
place,  and  they  stopped  for  dinner. 

A  family  was  living  in  the  stage  house, 
and  Millicent  was  made  free  of  their  rooms. 
Presently,  as  she  looked  out,  she  saw  Law- 
rence ride  up,  and  after  the  dinner  they 
walked  about  together  while  waiting  for  the 
afternoon's  start. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM  103 

"  I  was  thinking  how  inexpressibly  lonely 
the  life  of  those  people  must  be,"  said  she, 
indicating  the  house.  "  Here  is  a  man,  his 
wife  and  daughter,  dropped  down  in  this  for- 
lorn spot  by  apparent  chance.  What  can 
they  find  to  do  here  all  day  long,  and  day 
after  day  ?  " 

"  That  has  always  been  a  question  with 
me,  and  I  never  liked  to  ask  them  to  answer 
it,"  said  Lawrence.  "  I  happened  to  learn 
something  of  their  history  one  day  —  for 
people  in  a  monotone  have  histories  as  well 
as  other  people." 

"  I  know  they  do,"  assented  Millicent. 
"  What  is  theirs  ?  " 

"  It  seems  they  were  well-to-do  somewhere 
m  the  East.  I  can't  locate  them  any  more 
definitely  than  that.  He  — the  old  man  — got 
to  drinking,  and  everything  went  by  the 
board.  It  must  have  been  horrible  for  the 
wife,"  he  said,  agreeing  with  Millicent's  ex- 
clamation of  pity.  "  After  everything  was 
gone,  he  swore  off ;  and  after  various  attempts 
to  reform,  and  the  same  number  of  failures, 
he  turned  up  out  here  with  his  family,  and 
went  to  keeping  stage  ranch.  He  is  pretty 
well  out  of  the  way  of  temptation  here,  and 


104  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

tliiit  is  what  he  needs.  I  understand  he 
keeps  very  straight." 

"  I  am  ghid  of  that,  and  if  it  ended  there, 
no  one  should  comphiin.  But  it  is  not  for 
himself  alone  —  " 

"No;  there's  his  wife  and  the  girl,"  said 
Lawrence.  "  I  do  hate  to  see  women  sacri- 
ficing themselves  for  the  sake  of  one  weak 
man,  —  and  yet  that  is  what  it  amounts  to  in 
this  case ;  otherwise,  they  would  not  be  with 
him,  I  suppose.  No ;  I  never  asked  them 
what  they  did  to  kill  time ;  somehow,  I  never 
wanted  to." 

"  I  don't  think  I  would  care  to,  either,"  said 
Millicent,  softly.  Tlien,  "Oh,  these  little 
glimpses  of  others'  lives  !  How  pathetic  they 
are  !     Why  is  it  so  ?  " 

"  Why  ?  We  are  what  other  people  make 
us,  I  reckon.  We  are  not  really  responsible. 
I  know  my  Uncle  Sam  is  responsible  for  me 
as  I  am.  But  I  am  not  altogether  pathetic, 
am  I  ?   Would  you  wring  any  hands  over  me  ?  " 

"  Not  you,"  she  declared.  "  You  are  lucky 
—  perhaps.  But  I  am  sorry  for  that  girl  in 
there." 

"  Possibly  she  gets  some  good  out  of  life," 
suggested  Lawrence,  cheerfully. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  105 

"  She  has  a  guitar  and  a  melodeon,"  said 
Millicent,  as  though  enumerating  blessings, 
"and  a  kerosene  lamp  with  a  green  paper 
shade." 

"  That  sheds  a  little  brighter  light  on  the 
subject,"  declared  Lawrence.  "  Her  life  is  not 
all  pathos.  You've  no  idea  how  good  a  little 
music  is  out  here,  or  how  far  we  can  make  a 
little  of  it  go.  I  happened  upon  a  ranch  once 
where  they  had  just  got  an  organette,  and  I 
assure  you  we  sat  up  the  best  part  of  the 
night,  turning  the  crank  and  making  up  our 
minds  which  tune  went  best.  The  vote,  I 
remember,  was  in  favor  of  'Flow  Gently, 
Sweet  Afton  '  —  the  sound  of  running  water 
in  a  desert  land.  At  the  ranch  there  was 
nothing  but  a  mudhole,  by  courtesy  a  spring." 

"  And  people  lived  there  ? "  she  cried  in 
amazement. 

"Not  only  that,  but  liked  it.  It's  all  in 
getting  used  to  a  place,  Miss  Harding.  I 
suspect  this  place  seemed  awfully  lonesome 
and  dreary  to  these  people  when  they  first 
came,  but  I'll  warrant  they  like  it  well  enough 
now.  They  form  ties  and  associations.  Now, 
if  the  melodeon  is  all  they  have,  they  get  just 
as  much  satisfaction  out  of  it  as  a  town  family 


106  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

would  from  a  grand  piano.  It  has  no  compe- 
tition. Don't  you  believe  it?"  he  asked,  see- 
ing: her  thoucchtful  face. 

"I  —  suppose  so.  I  was  thinking  it  would 
take  years  to  get  used  to  the  life.  And  what 
will  become  of  her,  anyway  ?  " 

"  The  girl  ?  Believe  me,  her  future  is 
already  settled,  and  very  satisfactorily. 
The  guitar  explains  that.  It  is  a  native 
of  the  section;  they  never  brought  it  with 
them." 

"  You  mean  —  " 

"  Lover  —  American  or  Mexican  cowboy 
—  white  moonlight  —  strummed  tunes  —  and 
a  gallop  to  town  for  a  wedding.  Same  thing 
as  in  the  East,  Miss  Harding,  so  far  as  the 
theory  goes ;  a  trifle  more  primitive  in  prac- 
tice, but  producing  the  same  result." 

His  horse  was  brought  up  to  him  just  then, 
and  he  laughed  at  his  statement  of  the  case, 
while  he  looked  at  the  bridle  and  tested  the 
cinching  of  the  saddle.  The  stage  clattered 
to  the  door  with  fresh  horses,  ready  for  the 
afternoon  run. 

"  That  is  very  pretty,"  said  she,  as  though 
half  offended.  "  It  may  be  better  for  her,  but 
I  am  not  obliged  to  you  for  spoiling  all  my 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  107 

long  fancies  about  her,  I  was  quite  ready  to 
make  some  great  sacrifice  for  her  benefit,  — 
perliaps  I  might  have  consulted  you  about  it, 
—  but  you  make  it  appear  that  she  wants  no 
sacrifice,  and  would  appreciate  none ;  that 
she  is  quite  contented.  Well,  perhaps  you 
are  right.  No  doubt  a  cowboy  who  can  ride 
and  roll  cigarettes,  and  plays  the  guitar,  is  a 
sufficient  factor  to  make  her  forget  others 
that  are  lacking.  We  will  hope  so,  since  that 
is  the  best  we  can  hope  —  for  her." 

"  We  don't  need  to  hope  it ;  we  may  know 
it.     I  spoke  with  authority,"  said  he. 

"  As  usual ! "  she  flashed  at  him,  as  he 
helped  her  up  to  the  exalted  seat  beside  the 
driver;  for  the  day  was  fair,  and  she  had 
elected  to  see  this  wonderful  land  more 
broadly  than  was  possible  from  the  stage 
window ;  and  she  nodded  smilingly  down 
at  him  from  her  perch  as  the  stage  rolled 
away. 

"  Pretty  girl !  Friend  o'  yourn  ?  "  inquired 
the  ranch-keeper.  Lawrence  did  not  hear 
him.  He  was  following  the  receding  stage 
with  his  ej^es,  and  he  swung  himself  into  the 
saddle  mechanically.  "  Come  on  !  "  he  beck- 
oned to  the  waiting  escort.     The  ranchman 


108  IN   BLUE    UNIFORM 

coughed  knowingly  behind  his  hand.  A 
young  man  and  woman,  who  had  witnessed 
the  departure  from  the  doorway,  looked  at 
each  other,  nodded  in  happy  significance,  and 
smiled. 


VII 

To  a  girl  reared  as  Millicent  had  been, 
in  a  delicate  Eastern  environment,  and  now 
tasting  for  the  first  time  the  broader  joys  of 
untrammelled  nature,  the  ride  on  the  box 
could  not  fail  to  be  joyfully  exciting.  The 
road  wound  about  the  bases  of  a  few  tabled 
hills,  and  then  broke  forth  again  upon  the 
plain.  She  could  trace  its  hard,  white  length 
shimmering  ahead  to  a  needle's  point.  The 
horses  padded  hard  to  the  front,  and  they 
bowled  along  merrily. 

The  country  was  a  flat  expanse  in  shaded 
browns  and  greens,  bending  gracefully  away 
and  upward  to  meet  the  descending  hem  of 
the  heavens.  That  horizon  was  faint  and 
mysterious ;  its  ethereal  dimness  led  to  doubts 
of  its  existence ;  and  the  eye  wondered  at 
its  own  extended  power  of  vision.  Cattle 
browsed  placidly  in  the  distances ;  and  once 
a  herd  of  pretty  white-and-fawn-marked 
creatures  dashed  close  to  the  stage,  and 
109 


110  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

then  held  away  on  a  wide  curve.  There 
were  shouts  and  exclamations  from  the  pas- 
sengers, bemoaning  the  absence  of  guns ;  for 
these  were  antelope,  and  fair  game  for  any 
hunter.  It  mattered  not  that  no  use  could 
be  made  of  the  game ;  it  was  alive  and  wild, 
and  therefore  to  be  shot.  The  driver  looked 
back  and  gesticulated  wildly  to  the  military 
escort  that  was  trailing  after,  but  they  held 
their  fire  for  other  purposes.  Birds  circled 
above  the  plain  continually,  calling  to  one 
another.  Closer  to  the  surface,  brilliant 
butterflies  fluttered  about,  and  fanned  them- 
selves above  their  reflections  in  shallow,  ciys- 
tal  pools.  Clumps  of  vivid  color  here  and 
there  showed  the  cactus  in  bloom.  It  was 
a  country  of  vastness,  yet  lacking  in  no  feat- 
ure for  variety. 

Even  the  driver,  whose  face  was  lozenged 
by  sun  and  wind  into  a  resemblance  to  the 
leather  curtains  that  flapped  on  the  stage, 
loved  the  sight.  He  pointed  around  the 
compass  with  his  whip,  embracing  the  uni- 
verse in  his  delight. 

"  This  is  what  I  UJce,"  said  he  on  a  venture 
to  the  pretty  girl  beside  him ;  for  he  would 
not  be  considered  wanting  in  the  courteous 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  111 

attention  due  a  traveller.  *'  This  is  a  land- 
scape. You  c'n  see  and  see  into  the  edge  of 
heaven  an'  the  next  county.  You  ain't  shet 
in  by  mountins,  nor  nuthin'."  He  did  not 
venture  to  look  at  Millicent  as  he  spoke,  but 
delivered  his  remarks  over  the  backs  of  his 
horses. 

"  It  is  lovely !  "  declared  Millicent,  with 
girlish  enthusiasm,  "  and  not  monotonous  in 
the  least." 

"  Well,  now,  there  is  them  that  like  moun- 
tins, and  say  this  is  monotonous.  But  I 
don't  see  anything  in  hills.  They  bind  you 
in,  and  fall  over  on  ye.  You  can't  see  beyond 
them.  They  wall  ye  about  unpleasant.  I 
nuvver  git  tired  of  a  long  sight  about  me, 
and  the  wind  blowing  free,  from  clear  beyond 
my  sight.  It's  my  natur,  I  reckon,  and  I 
love  it." 

The  ice  being  broken,  he  became  communi- 
cative, and  entertained  Millicent  with  an 
account  of  the  robbery  of  the  stage.  It  had 
been  on  his  partner's  runs,  not  his.  The 
"hold  ups  "  had  taken  place  in  the  hills  they 
had  passed,  and  there  was  no  chance  of 
trouble  the  rest  of  the  way.  And  he  reck- 
oned  they  wouldn't  tackle  the  stage  while 


112  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

they  was  soldiers  along,  anyway.  There 
would  be  shooting  both  ways  then,  and  that 
wasn't  exactly  their  idea. 

Then  he  confided  to  Millicent  that  he  had 
soldiered  it  before  he  took  to  driving.  Lef- 
tenant  Lawrence  he  declared  to  be  a  nervy 
man,  and  one  of  whom  the  road  agents  stood 
in  awe.  He  had  served  with  the  Leftenant, 
and  knew  what  he  was  talking  about.  He 
went  the  length  of  saying  that  the  Leftenant 
had  as  soon  fight  as  eat,  and  would  sooner 
shoot  than  run.  You  wouldn't  think  it  to 
talk  with  him,  for  he  was  mild  and  gentle  as 
one  of  the  horses  it  became  necessary  just 
then  to  touch  up  with  the  whip.  And  now, 
to  see  him  gallopin'  ahead  down  the  road  on 
that  white  horse  of  his  —  it  was  most  as  good 
as  being  a  soldier  agin  himself!  Get  up, 
there !  Stage  horses  were  lumbering  things 
at  the  best. 

"A  soldier's  life  must  be  full  of  excite- 
ment," said  Millicent,  lamely.  She  saw  he 
was  touched  by  the  recollection ;  but  it  was 
beyond  her  experience,  and  she  did  not  know 
what  to  say. 

"Excitin'  enough  in  a  way.  But  it  ain't 
so  much   that;  it's  the  sense  of  being  with 


IN   BLUE    UNIFORM  113 

your  hind,^'  said  the  driver,  introspectively. 
"  It's  the  feeling  o'  standin'  by  somebody,  and 
somebody  standin'  by  you.  It's  like  brothers, 
only  more  so.  Yis,  if  I  had  a  brother,  I'd 
rather  have  a  soldier  for  a  brother  than  any 
man  I  know  of.  'Most  any  real  soldier'd  do." 
He  whipped  uj)  the  horses  again,  as  though 
the  memories  were  too  tender  to  be  indulged 
in  while  live  issues  were  at  stake. 

As  the  afternoon  advanced,  a  subdued 
roaring  began  to  make  itself  heard.  Its  origin 
lay  at  no  definite  point,  but  seemed  to  be  all 
along  the  line  of  the  horizon  to  their  front. 
At  intervals  in  their  progress  it  sv/elled  and 
increased  until  the  air  quivered  with  the 
volume  of  the  sound.  It  seemed  unexplain- 
able,  and  Millicent  began  to  be  apprehensive, 
and  looked  questioningly  at  the  driver. 

"  That's  the  Colorado,"  he  exj)lained  as  he 
noticed  her  perturbation.  "  She'll  have  been 
getting  a  boom ;  some  cloudburst  up-country, 
I  reckon.  She's  as  mean,  tricky  a  little  river 
as  I  ever  see ;  one  day  jes'  a-crawling  among 
the  stones,  and  the  next  tearin'  along,  bank 
full." 

"Do  you  think  the  bridge  will  be  gone ? " 
queried  Millicent,  anxiously. 


114  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"  No,  I  guess  that  will  be  all  right,"  said 
he.  Then  he  found  it  necessary  to  look  away 
before  he  could  proceed  with  his  reply.  "  I 
say  the  bridge  will  be  all  right,  because  there 
ain't  a  bridge.  I  don't  reckon  there's  one 
in  the  county ;  least,  I  nuvver  heard  of  one. 
We'll  jes'  ford  it,  if  we  can.  I've  known 
parties  to  camp  for  days  on  the  edge  of  the 
river,  waiting  for  the  water  to  go  down,  but 
I  don't  really  think  it  is  that  bad  this  time." 

When  they  arrived  at  the  crossing,  it  was 
a  yellow,  troubled  stream  that  flowed  before 
them.  It  was  not  wide,  but  fearsome  from 
its  unknown  depth.  The  ceaseless  roaring 
thrilled  them,  and  the  clots  of  foam  gave  it 
a  menacing  appearance.  The  water  swirled 
by  angrily,  laden  with  drift  from  the  assailed 
up-country.  Sometimes  it  was  only  logs,  or 
matted  debris,  and  again  it  would  be  the  body 
of  some  animal,  showing  that  the  rise  had 
been  very  sudden.  Up  and  down,  the  banks 
barely  confined  the  yellow  flood,  and  an  omi- 
nous noise  as  of  boulders  grinding  together  in 
the  bed  of  the  stream  was  given  forth.  To 
Millicent  it  looked  about  as  bad  as  could  be, 
and  the  passengers  in  the  body  of  the  stage 
spoke  of  it  in  tones  of  dismay. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  115 

The  driver  j)ulled.  up  and  looked  at  the 
ford  with  a  critical  eye.  Lawrence  had 
paused  at  the  very  brink,  and  his  white  horse 
stood  with  his  fore  legs  braced,  as  though  in 
refusal  to  advance.  Lawrence  looked  over 
his  shoulder  at  the  driver,  pointed  ahead,  and 
nodded. 

"  Can  we  make  it,  Leftenant  ? "  shouted 
the  driver. 

Lawrence  shouted  something  in  reply,  but 
it  was  inaudible.  The  driver  perceived  his 
intent,  however. 

"  He's  going  to  try  it,"  said  he. 

Lawrence  pressed  the  spurs  to  his  horse, 
but  the  animal  refused  to  enter  the  water. 
He  trembled  in  his  antagonism  to  his  rider's 
will.  He  reared  and  shook  his  head  in  dumb 
protest.     Fear  had  possession  of  him. 

"  Oh,  don't ! "  called  Millicent,  timidly. 

"  He'll  do  it,  Miss.  Keep  ca'm,"  cautioned 
the  driver.  And  Millicent  gripped  the  iron 
handles  beside  her  and  put  a  guard  on  her 
voice. 

Lawrence  spent  a  few  moments  consider- 
ately in  calming  his  horse.  He  withdrew 
a  few  paces  from  the  water  and  patted  him 
gently.     Then  he  moved  forward  again  and 


116  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

with  relentless  determination  drove  him  into 
the  water,  urging  him  with  voice  and  spur. 
They  then  went  forward  bravely.  The  water 
rose  mid-leg  and  body  high  and  pressed 
strongly.  It  foamed  and  roared  in  rage.  It 
would  bear  horse  and  rider  under.  So  would 
it  triumph,  dashing  high  and  rolling  resist- 
lessly  on.  Twice  the  horse  lost  his  footing, 
and  twice  his  rider  turned  his  head  to  the 
mad  current,  keejDing  him  to  the  only  chance 
of  safety.  Then  he  struck  the  firm  bottom 
in  shallowing  water  and  scrambled  up  the 
opposite  bank,  streaming  and  trembling. 
Millicent  had  witnessed  the  battle  from  be- 
tween her  fingers  across  her  eyes. 

"  We  c'n  make  it,"  announced  tlie  driver, 
authoritatively,  gathering  up  the  lines.  "  The 
stage's  heavy ;  only  keep  the  bosses  on  the 
ford  —  " 

He  hesitated,  for  Lawrence  was  recrossing. 
His  judgment  was  with- the  driver's;  the 
crossing  was  practicable,  but  he  recommended 
a  degree  more  of  caution.  A  line  was  carried 
across  to  aid  in  keeping  the  horses'  heads  up 
stream ;  and  then  the  stage  rolled  into  and 
through  the  flood.  It  tipped,  and  jolted,  and 
careened.     The  inside  passengers  were  wet. 


IN   BLUE    UNIFORM  117 

and  thought  themselves  about  to  be  drowned 
like  rats  in  a  trap.  But  the  passage  was 
safely  accomplished,  and  they  congratulated 
themselves  on  their  deliverance  from  a  great 
hazard.  But  the  deed  passed  without  special 
comment  by  the  chief  actors.  The  driver 
looked  back  once,  and  nodded  his  satis- 
faction. Lawrence  waved  a  good-by,  and 
rode  away  to  his  camp.  The  stage  hastened 
on  to  the  supper  station,  and  then,  through 
the  gloom  of  the  sudden  southern  nightfall, 
twenty  miles  more,  the  miles  shortening  as 
they  sped  from  under  foot,  to  the  post,  and 
the  quarters  of  Major  Remmick.  And  there 
was  a  warm  welcome  for  Millicent,  and  a  fit- 
ting close  to  her  long  journey.  The  rail  por- 
tion of  it  she  looked  upon  as  commonplace ; 
but  the  stage  ride  had  impressed  her,  not 
alone  by  its  novelty,  and  she  gave  a  strong 
account  of  it. 

"  You  should  have  seen  Mr.  Lawrence  ford- 
ing that  river,  as  I  did,"  she  declared.  "  He 
was  fearlessness  itself  —  in  blue  —  on  that 
plunging  white  horse  in  the  yellow  water. 
It  was  foolhardy,  I  thought.  I  shut  my  eyes, 
for  I  didn't  dare  to  look ;  and  I  opened  them 
again,  for  I  didn't  dare  not  to  see.     But  he 


118  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

knew  what  he  was  about.  Oh  dear,  how 
green  I  must  have  appeared!  But  you  ought 
to  have  seen  him  !  "  , 

"  We  know  him  well,  and  none  of  us  will 
question  his  courage  or  his  ability,"  said  the 
Major,  beaming. 

"No  indeed!  I  had  confidence  in  him.  I 
felt  that  if  he  said  we  could  get  across,  there 
would  be  no  danger,  and  I  wasn't  afraid  — 
not  very  much.  But  he  was  so  picturesque! 
I  am  glad  I  saw  that  crossing.  I  should  love 
to  paint  it."  She  was  silent,  in  keen  mental 
appreciation  of  the  color  effect,  and  the  lite- 
rary value  of  such  a  picture. 

And  when  she  went  to  bed  presently,  it 
was  with  a  confused  brain-mingling  of  white, 
brown,  blue,  and  yellow  schemes,  till  a  rattle 
of  drums  and  a  shrieking  of  fifes  aroused  her 
to  a  new  day  —  a  day  as  regulated  by  military 
authority. 


VIII 

Theee  was  a  jovial,  rollicking  twist  to 
the  fifes,  and  the  rumbling  drums  had  noth- 
ing threatening  in  them  as  the  field  music 
paraded  the  edges  of  garrison,  playing  the 
reveille  music.  It  was  sparkling,  alluring, 
and  a  pretty  measure  for  those  unaccustomed 
to  it.  Army  women  have  sometimes  com- 
plained that  it  breaks  in  upon  their  slumbers, 
and  army  men  frequently  assert  that  it  comes 
too  early.  But  Miss  Harding,  with  but  a 
short  night's  rest  separating  her  from  a  long 
and  tedious  journey,  and  by  no  stretch  of  the 
imagination  ever  to  be  accounted  an  early 
riser,  slipped  from  her  couch  and  peeped  out 
of  the  window  to  observe  what  this  first  mili- 
tary-musical wonder  might  be. 

The  grayness  of  unwilling  dawn  was  upon 
the  earth ;  for  reveille  summons  the  sun,  and 
he  came  under  protest.  But  even  as  the 
music  ceased,  he  shot  a  level,  answering  ray 
of  light  across  the  eastern  prairie.  It  fell 
119 


]20  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

upon  a  group  of  men  at  the  foot  of  the  flag- 
staff, who  were  engaged  in  raising  the  colors, 
and  it  followed  the  red,  white,  and  blue  up 
the  slim  staff  till  it  rested  in  glory  at  the  top. 
Little  parties  of  soldiers  stood  in  line  on  the 
far  side  of  a  level  rectangle  upon  which  she 
looked,  and  returned  crisp  shouts  as  the  roll 
of  names  was  called.  Tlie  result  of  roll-call 
was  transmitted  swiftly  with  much  waving  of 
arms  to  a  lone  man  standing  at  the  centre  of 
the  rectangle ;  and  then  the  swarms  of  men 
dispersed,  and  the  place  was  as  empty  as  be- 
fore. Miss  Harding  had  to  admit  to  herself 
that  reveille  was  but  a  brief  business,  with 
a  very  short-lived  excitement ;  and  as  there 
seemed  to  be  no  immediate  succeeding  spec- 
tacle, she  had  nothing  for  it  but  a  return  to 
bed. 

As  the  morning  wore  on,  the  garrison  took 
on  a  more  lively  air.  The  general  guard  and 
police  duty  proceeded  without  jar  or  hin- 
drance. Little  parties  of  garrison  prisoners, 
each  with  an  escorting  sentinel,  came  along 
the  kitchen  wall  and  cut  a  day's  supply  of 
stove  wood  for  the  officers.  Front  doors 
were  thrown  open,  and  there  was  a  prelimi- 
nary garnishing  in  every  house  up  and  down 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  121 

the  Line.  And  at  uncertain  intervals  a 
smartly  officious  personage  came  from  the 
adjutant's  office  and  blew  various  blasts  on 
the  bugle,  summoning  successive  sections  of 
men  to  some  military  duty.  The  housemaids 
laughed  at  the  unhappy  prisoners.  The  cav- 
alry horses  were  herded  off  for  the  day  with 
a  great  dust  and  a  j)rodigious  clatter  of  hoofs. 
A  specially  reliable  soldier  drove  behind  a 
mule,  equally  reliable,  to  each  kitchen  door, 
and  received  from  the  heads  of  households 
directions  for  the  day's  marketing  in  the  little 
town.  The  market  and  the  grocery  were  the 
only  places  to  be  visited,  and  the  soldier 
punctiliously  set  down  his  orders  in  a  little 
book.  And  then  the  bugler,  bursting  with 
his  responsibilities,  came  forth  and  blew 
mess-call.  This  signal  was  generally  agreed 
upon  as  a  summons  to  breakfast,  and  all  over 
the  post  there  was  a  prompt  gathering  at 
tables. 

At  the  bachelors'  mess  it  was  gladly  an- 
nounced that  the  Major's  niece  had  arrived. 
None  had  seen  her,  but  it  was  beyond  ques- 
tion that  the  stage  had  driven  in  and  stopped 
at  the  Major's  door.  That  could  mean  but 
one  thing ;  for  no  one  else  was  expected,  and 


122  IN   BLUE    UNIFORM 

people  did  not  visit  remote  army  posts  with- 
out giving  due  warning  of  their  coming. 
The  bachelors  made  an  arrangement  to  call 
upon  her  in  a  body  that  evening. 

" '  In  union  is  strength,'  "  quoted  Thomp- 
son, laughing.  "  We  will  make  a  reconnois- 
sance  in  force,  and  then,  if  advisable,  attack 
in  echelon  —  or  any  other  way."  Thompson 
was  old  and  gray,  and  walked  with  a  cane. 
He  had  been  upon  the  verge  of  a  captaincy 
for  years,  and  hope  deferred,  the  juniors 
asserted,  had  made  his  heart  sour.  Yet  he 
was  an  excellent  quartermaster,  always  ready 
to  furnish  rude  household  appliances  to  the 
best  of  the  government's  ability,  and  quite 
willing  to  sacrifice  mules  and  ambulances  in 
the  good  cause  of  a  garrison  merrymaking  and 
picnic. 

"  She's  a  very  pretty  girl,"  remarked  Wal- 
lace, thoughtfully. 

"  There  !  The  youngster  has  beaten  us  all 
out  again,"  cried  Thompson,  in  mock  dismay. 
"  When  did  you  see  her  ?  Did  you  sit  up 
last  night,  or  get  up  this  morning  ?  You  are 
an  enterprising  chap,  anyway." 

"  Haven't  seen  her  at  all,"  said  Wallace, 
stoutly  defending  himself.     "  If  you  want  to 


IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM  123 

know,  there's  a  photo  of  her  on  Mrs.  Rem- 
inick's  mantel,  and  you've  seen  it  yourself  a 
dozen  times.  The  only  trouble  with  you  is 
that  you  don't  know  a  good  thing  when  you 
see  it." 

"  I'll  know  an  application  for  an  ambulance 
next  time  you  put  one  in,"  returned  Thomp- 
son, with  a  menace  of  refusal.  Then  he  speed- 
ily changed  to  a  wheedling  tone.  "  What 
does  she  look  like  ?  Come,  now,  Wallace, 
speaking  as  a  man  of  observation,  what  can 
you  say  of  her  looks  ?  "  He  appeared  eagerly 
interested. 

Wallace  thoughtfully  filliped  a  morsel  of 
bread  at  his  dog,  standing  on  guard,  looking 
out  for  tid-bits.  He  caught  and  swallowed 
it  at  a  gulp,  and  asked  for  more.  "  Well  — 
face,  oval ;  features,  regular  ;  blonde  ;  classic 
lips  ;  light  hair,  and  plenty  of  it ;  eyebrows 
straight  —  " 

"  That  will  do  !  Don't  say  another  word, 
or  I  won't  promise  to  wait  for  evening,"  inter- 
rupted Thompson,  in  simulation  of  youthful 
passion.  "  You  seem  to  have  studied  her 
photograph  to  some  purpose  —  and  you  can 
have  that  ambulance." 

"  You  forget  Wallace  has  had  lots  of  expe- 


124  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

rience,"  interposed  Lyndon.  "  You  and  I  are 
not  in  the  same  class  with  him.  Don't  you 
go  running  after  strange  gods  —  and  god- 
desses, you  young  What's-his-name,"  he 
added  to  Wallace,  vainly  trying  to  remember 
the  name  of  some  fabled  favorite  of  women. 

"  No  danger.  I'm  so  enmeshed  that  I  can't 
move.  You  fellows  can  have  the  field,"  said 
he,  candidly. 

"Wallace  deals  in  fair  words,  but  I 
wouldn't  trust  him  in  such  a  case,"  said 
Miller.  "  You  know  even  the  steadiest  old 
family  horse  will  keep  in  the  road  only  so 
long  as  he  wears  blinders ;  take  them  off  so 
he  can  see  all  around,  and  he  is  forever  try- 
ing to  get  at  the  forbidden  fruit  on  the 
sides." 

"  That's  so  !  "  shouted  the  officers,  in  jovial 
chorus.  "  Keep  your  blinders  on,  Wallace. 
Look  straight  ahead.  No  more  dallying  by 
the  wayside  for  you."  They  covered  the  boy 
with  confusion.  His  cheeks  burned.  But 
he  knew  it  was  a  part  of  his  fate  as  a  pro- 
spectively married  man  to  endure  such  chaf- 
fing ;  and  he  contented  himself  with  declaring 
that  they  would  not  have  so  much  to  say  if 
they  did  not  really  envy  him  his  happy  state. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM      .  125 

It  was  a  day  of  continuous  reception  for 
Millicent.  At  short  intervals  light  footsteps 
would  be  heard  on  the  porch,  and  then  a  face 
would  appear  at  the  door  with  the  appealing 
query,  '•'•May  I  come  in?"  Before  nightfall 
nearly  all  the  ladies  in  garrison  had  thus 
informally  made  Millicent's  acquaintance. 
Some  of  them  made  excuse  of  an  errand  to 
Mrs.  Remmick ;  but  most  of  them  declared 
that  their  sole  purpose  in  running  in  was  to 
see  Miss  Harding,  and  to  give  her  immediate 
and  hearty  welcome  to  the  midst  of  the  army. 
There  was  a  spontaneous  quality  to  this  move- 
ment of  theirs  and  to  their  Avords  that  left  no 
doubt  of  genuineness.  They  made  her  free 
of  their  hearts  and  their  hearthstones,  and 
yet  with  that  indefinable  atmosphere  of  ex- 
clusiveness  that  marked  her  for  an  approved 
guest.  Not  every  one  coming  to  the  post 
would  have  been  granted  such  a  reception  as 
this ;  not  every  one  would  have  been  glad- 
dened by  any  general  recognition.  For  if 
army  men  are  jealous  of  their  prerogatives 
and  given  to  clannishness,  army  women  pos- 
sess the  same  sentiment  of  their  optimacy  in 
a  superlative  degree.  And  one  whom  they 
do  take  by  the  hand  and  cause  to  feel  at 
home  is  favored  among:  ten  thousand. 


12G  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

In  the  evening  there  was  a  general  move- 
ment of  the  officers  to  the  Major's  quarters, 
and  many  of  the  hidies  wlio  had  been  in  dur- 
ing the  day  came  again,  convoying  their  hus- 
bands. Mrs.  Bruff  had  been  one  of  the 
earliest  callers,  and  this  may  have  had  some 
influence  upon  the  actions  of  the  others ;  for 
it  is  beyond  question  that  the  wife  of  the 
commanding  officer  can  do  no  wrong ;  and 
the  attitude  taken  by  her  on  any  matter  is 
bound  to  be  copied  to  a  considerable  extent 
by  the  junior  ladies.  She  came  again  in  the 
evening,  though  without  her  husband  —  a  fact 
that  she  deplored  as  she  explained  that  it  was 
almost  impossil)le  to  get  him  away  from  his 
newspaper  if  the  stage  happened  to  be  in,  and 
that  he  was  devoted  to  solitaire.  But  slie 
stood  as  his  accredited  representative,  to  say 
nothing  of  her  own  quality ;  so  no  shadow 
was  cast  on  the  informal  pleasure  of  the 
evening. 

Mrs.  Remmick  was  highly  gratified  with 
the  response  made  by  tlie  garrison,  and  the 
Major's  broad  face  beamed  from  red  to  pur- 
ple upon  every  one.  It  was  quite  understood 
that  this  was  not  an  occasion  of  actual  intro- 
duction under  official  auspices  ;  there  would 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  127 

be  a  social  function  later  on  the  accepted 
plan  of  such  events,  to  which  all  the  garrison 
and  such  other  nobility  as  might  be  found, 
would  be  bidden.  Meanwhile,  as  a  prelude, 
the  evening  was  a  remarkable  success. 

Millicent  herself  moved  about  in  a  state  of 
brilliant  excitement.  Her  eyes  shone,  and 
her  pleasing  color,  instead  of  doubtfully 
wavering,  was  fixed  in  her  cheeks.  It  was 
a  novel  experience  to  find  herself  in  a  room- 
ful from  which  civilian  attire  was  excluded. 
Every  man  was  clad  more  or  less  bravely 
in  blue  and  yellow  and  white.  It  was  not 
strange  that  they  should  gather  about  her  ; 
she  was  accustomed  to  the  talk  of  men  from 
her  artistic  Bohemia  through  her  successive 
liglits  of  social  life.  It  was  the  fact  that 
their  attire  outshone  that  of  the  women  ;  that 
they  were  not  embarrassed  by  it ;  tliat  tliey 
were,  without  exception,  of  fine  bearing ; 
that  their  eyes  had  a  fearless  habit  of  looking 
straight  at  the  point  of  observation ;  that  all 
were  to-night  making  a  little  army  Bohemia 
for  her  —  it  was  this  that  gave  piquancy  to 
her  entertainment.  She  was  young  and 
pretty,  with  a  fixed  habit  of  enjoying  her 
life    as    she    found    it    whatever;    but   her 


128  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

new  surroundinofs  o^ave  it  an  added  zest  that 
night. 

In  the  movements  of  the  guests  she  found 
herself  cut  off  and  hemmed  in  by  a  laughing 
group  of  young  officers.  They  were  telling 
wonderful  stories  of  the  country,  a  terra  in- 
cognita to  her,  and  expecting  her  to  believe 
them.  It  began  when  she  told  them  some 
incidents  of  the  stage  ride,  and  of  the  high 
water  of  the  Colorado.  She  gave  a  lively 
account,  in  which  Lawrence  was  not  men- 
tioned. 

"  Tliat  was  a  narrow  escape,"  said  Miller, 
gravely,  as  she  finished.  "I  suppose,  from 
the  fact  of  your  reaching  dry  land  in  safet}^ 
that  you  were  not  attacked  by  water-ani- 
mals ?  " 

"•  I  didn't  see  any,  I'm  sure,"  said  Millicent, 
beginning  to  believe  that  dangers  had  been 
concealed  from  her.     "  What  are  they  like  ?  " 

"  I  have  never  seen  one,  and  can  give  you 
no  good  description.  The  name  of  the  worst 
kind  is  'Gila  monster.'  He  is  something  to 
steer  clear  of,  if  half  they  say  is  true." 

Millicent  delighted  the  group  by  shudder- 
ing at  his  statement. 

"And  did   you   see  no  taran^jdas  on  the 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  129 

way  ?  "  he  inquired.  He  disguised  the  word 
by  placing  the  accent  on  the  penultimate, 
and  chuckled  at  her  mystified  expression. 

"Taran  tulas?"  she  queried.  "Oh,  I 
suppose  you  mean  robbers?  Of  course  we 
did  not,  when  we  had  soldiers  with  us." 

"  No,  not  human  robbers,  but  beasts  of  the 
plain,"  he  explained,  kindly.  "They  lie  in 
wait  by  the  roadside,  spring  upon  the  horses, 
kill  them  with  a  bite,  and  then  lunch  off 
them.  They  thus  put  passengers  to  great 
inconvenience,  but  they  never  are  known  to 
attack  them." 

"Really?  Oh,  don't  think  me  so  credu- 
lous," she  laughed,  in  pretty  doubt.  "  Do  you 
really  have  such  horrid  creatures?  I  know 
they  say  such  things  about  Texas  —  " 

"  You  are  not  to  believe  '  such  things  '  un- 
less they  come  on  excellent  authority  —  as 
substantial  as  Mr.  Miller  here,"  said  Wal- 
lace. "  The  only  animals  that  soldiers  fear 
in  these  parts  are  the  soldier  rabbits.  You 
may  have  seen  some  at  a  distance  ?  No  ? 
They  are  powerful  and  fleet.  They  make 
nothing  of  taking  a  full-grown  man  over 
their  shoulders  and  galloping  away  with  him 
to  their  lair.     They  prefer  soldiers,  —  some- 


180  IN    BLUE    UNIFOEM 

thing  attractive  about  the  uniform,  —  and 
hence  the  name." 

Milhcent  sat  in  silent  amazement  as  Wal- 
lace sjDun  this  story  with  a  straight  face. 

"  That  particular  kind  of  animal  I  was 
speaking  of,  Miss  Harding,  the  taran  tula,  is 
almost  extinct  here  now.  But  we  have  a 
smaller  kind,  —  the  species  seems  to  have 
degenerated  into  a  sort  of  spider,  —  and  you 
can  see  their  holes  in  the  parade  ground  by 
thousands.  The  garrison  boys  amuse  them- 
selves by  catching  them  and  putting  them 
under  a  glass,  in  company  with  a  couple  of 
red  ants,  to  fight.  That  is  the  only  form  in 
Avhich  duelling  survives  with  us,  and  that  is 
one-sided.  The  ants  win  every  time,"  said 
Miller,  regretfully. 

"  I  shan't  dare  to  step  on  the  parade  ground, 
for  fear  of  them,"  Millicent  declared.  "  And 
I  don't  think  much  of  your  manner  of  amuse- 
ments.    You  are  cruel." 

"  Ah,  but  you  should  see  the  boys  go  hunt- 
ing for  them,"  continued  Miller,  with  calm 
conviction.  "  It  is  as  pretty  a  sight  as  you 
could  ask  for.  You  will  let  me  take  j^ou  out 
some  day  to  witness  it?  There  is  no  blood- 
shed, no  firing  of  guns.     They  take  a  string 


IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM  131 

with  a  bit  of  wax  at  tlie  end,  and  dangle  it  up 
and  down  in  the  reptile's  hole  till  he  gets 
mad  and  bites  into  it.  Then  his  fangs  stick 
in  the  wax,  he  is  harmless,  and  he  is  drawn 
out  wrisffflino-  to  do  battle  with  the  ants." 

Millicent  looked  to  AVallace  for  confirma- 
tion of  this  wonderful  tale.  He  nodded  his 
head  at  her  solemnly. 

"  I  don't  believe  your  story ! "  said  she, 
suddenly.  "  How  do  you  get  them  away 
from  the  wax  without  being  bitten?  Ah,  I 
have  you  there  I  " 

Wallace  looked  at  Miller,  puzzled,  but 
that  gentleman  was  equal  to  the  occasion. 

"  We  pry  the  fangs  apart,"  said  he,  "  with 
a  bayonet,  or  a  broom-stick,  or  anything 
handy  —  " 

"  What's  all  the  fan  about  ?  "  deinanded  the 
Major  and  Lyndon,  attracted  by  the  laughter 
that  greeted  Miller's  explanation.  ''What's 
the  matter.  Miss  Harding?"  said  Lyndon. 
"  I  see.  These  bo3^s  have  been  treating  you 
to  Texas  stories.  They  keep  a  stock  on  hand 
ready  for  all  comers.  Don't  put  any  faith  in 
them  or  their  stories  either.  As  the  phrase 
goes,  they  are  giving  you  a  '  fill.'  " 

"  Oh,  I  know  it !  "  laughed  the  girl.     "Fm 


132  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

sure  of  it.  They  have  no  mercy  on  a  —  a  — 
tenderfoot?  Yes,  tenderfoot.  Uncle,  I  shall 
appeal  to  you  for  protection."' 

"  And  you  sliall  liave  it !  "  The  old  war- 
rior fell  into  an  attitude  fit  for  personified 
heroism.  "Beware!"  he  breathed  at  the 
young  fellows.  "  Be  on  your  guard !  I  am 
not  here  for  trifling." 

Everybody  laughed,  some  out  of  kindly 
consideration  for  the  Major's  humorous  fail- 
ing.    And  Millicent  implored : 

"  Oh,  uncle,  if  you  would  onli/  let  me  paint 
you  like  that !  It  would  make  my  reputation 
forever ! " 

"  Yes,  and  spoil  mine,"  said  he,  subsiding. 

After  that  there  came  a  lull  in  the  chatter, 
and  nearly  all  the  guests  took  advantage  of  it 
to  say  good-night. 

"Well!"  said  Millicent  when  the  last  one 
was  gone.     "  I  am  surprised  at  two  things." 

"  What  are  they,  my  dear  ? "  asked  the 
Major,  prepared  to  hear  something  nice  about 
the  army. 

"Nobody  talked  weather,  and  only  one 
asked  me  what  I  thought  of  the  army. 
What  self-restraint  that  was  !  " 

"  I  suppose  so,"  said  the  Major,  doubtfully, 


IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM  133 

hardly  knowing  whether  or  not  to  consider 
the  army  complimented.  "  But  what  do  you 
think  of  us  —  the  officers,  I  mean  ?  the  women 
are  another  question." 

"  Yes  —  I  should  hope  so,"  she  laughed 
saucily.  "  I  like  them  in  a  way  —  the  offi- 
cers.    There's  nothing  slow  about  them." 

"My  dear,"  suggested  Mrs.  Ilemmick,  to 
whom  the  popular  fieedom  of  phrases  was 
distasteful,  "is  that  a  good  manner  of  ex- 
pression ?  " 

"Why,  it  is  expressive,  isn't  it?"  asked 
Millicent,  innocently.  "  And  they  are  not 
slow.  I  looked  at  them,  and  somehow 
thought  of  poor  Dicky  Swope."  And  here 
she  laughed  again. 

"And  who  is  this  Mr.  Swope?"  her  aunt 
inquired  with  a  touch  of  primness. 

"  He  was  in  Paris  when  we  were  there," 
she  went  on.  "  We  were  four  girls  together, 
you  know,  and  we  had  our  little  salon,  and 
we  did  things  in  some  sfi/le,  I  tell  you  !  Then 
it  came  Christmas  time,  and  we  fixed  up  the 
place  with  greens,  and  put  some  mistletoe  on 
the  chandelier  —  " 

"  Why,  Millicent,  do  you  think  that  was  a 
very   nice   thing   to   have  —  you   four    girls 


134  IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM 

alone  ?  "  asked  ]\Irs.  Remmick,  really  alarmed 
for  the  proprieties. 

"  Never  mind,  dear  aunt ;  that  is  just  what 
we  did  have,"  replied  Millicent,  with  ani- 
mated decision.  "We  put  it  there, — you 
could  only  just  see  it  if  you  knew  it  was 
there,  —  and  Dicky  Swope  used  to  come  in. 
He  was  a  good  boy,  and  would  do  anything 
in  the  world  for  us ;  his  father  was  a  Metho- 
dist minister  in  Kansas  somewhere.  But  he 
was  so  sloiu  !  He  would  throw  himself  into 
a  chair  as  though  tired  to  death;  and  one  of 
the  girls  would  stand  under  the  cliandelier — " 

"Which  one?"  demanded  the  Major, 
roguishly. 

"  Not  this  one,  uncle,  really  ;  and  only  for 
Dicky  at  that.  She  would  stand  there  and 
fold  her  hands,  and  look  up  at  it  as  though 
she  was  just  languishing !  And  we  would  all 
be  on  the  point  of  screaming  to  see  her  so 
audacious  !  And  poor  Dicky  would  sit  there 
—  well,  he  didn't  know  a  good  thing  when 
he  saw  it.     You  should  have  been  there !  " 

"  I  think  so,"  said  Mrs.  Remmick,  incisively. 

"  But  you  wouldn't  think  of  playing  such 
tricks  on  these  boys  here,  eh  ? "  said  the 
Major,  in  some  pride. 


IN   BLUE    UNIFORM  135 

"  Um  —  they  may  be  a  little  isolated,  but 
they  know  a  thing  or  two,  I  fear.  No,  it 
wouldn't  be  safe  with  them." 

"  There's  lots  of  mistletoe  grows  round 
here,  if  you  care  to  risk  it,"  he  pursued. 

"  Oh,  bring  it  in,"  said  she,  falling  into  his 
vein  and  determined  to  appear  even  more 
radical  than  he.  "  Bring  in  a  bushel !  Hang 
it  over  the  door !  Put  out  a  sign,  '  Kisses 
within ;  price  re'duced  for  large  lots.'  Have 
a  clearance  sale  !  " 

"  Admirable  !  "  declared  the  Major. 

"  Horrible  ! "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Remmick, 
scandalized  b}^  the  thought. 

"  Oh,  3^ou  dear  aunt,"  cried  Millicent,  run- 
ning to  her.  "  They  would  all  be  for  uncle 
and  you  —  for  you  anyway  —  and  for  uncle  if 
he  let  me  paint  him !  " 

"So  that's  the  penalty,  is  it?"  said  the 
Major. 

"  Which  ?  "  asked  Millicent,  loftily. 

"The  prize,  the  reward,  I  mean,"  said  he, 
correcting  himself.     "  Please  excuse  me." 

"  Yes,  that  is  it,"  said  she. 

"  I  will  consider  it,"  said  he,  saluting  her. 
«  Good  night." 


IX 


The  warmly  hospitable  greeting  extended 
to  Millicent  by  all  in  the  garrison  acted  as 
a  spur  upon  Mrs.  Remmick  in  the  matter  of 
the  state  function.  She  had  intended  to  do 
something  handsome,  but  now  she  gave  her- 
self almost  entirely  to  planning  for  the  event. 
It  was  due  in  a  measure  to  the  garrison,  as 
an  acknowledgment  of  their  cordiality;  it 
was  plainly  due  Millicent,  as  being  her  niece, 
and  a  person  of  considerable  social  distinc- 
tion ;  it  was  due  herself,  as  hostess,  that  the 
affair  should  be  creditable  to  her ;  and  it  was 
a  matter  of  primary  acknowledgment  that  it 
was  due  the  whole  army  in  general,  and  the 
Old  Regiment  in  particular,  that  no  effort 
should  be  spared  to  add  to  the  entertainment's 
brilliancy.  Time,  labor,  and  expense  were 
for  consideration  only  as  they  contributed  to 
this  result.  For  Millicent  was  then  for  the 
first  time  to  see  the  army  on  its  best  behavior ; 
and  there  were  a  certain  few  civilians  in  the 
136 


IN   BLUE    UNIFORM  137 

little  town  and  on  neighboring  ranches  who 
had  been  accustomed  to  the  wearing  of  di'ess 
coats  in  the  East,  and  who  were  always  to 
be  impressed  with  the  lavishness  and  mag- 
nificence of  army  entertainments.  Moreover, 
Mrs.  Reramick  had  a  warm  heart  for  her 
niece,  rejoiced  in  her  pleasure,  and  delighted 
to  contribute  to  it ;  and  this  may  easily  have 
been  quite  as  important  a  factor  in  the  matter 
as  any  other. 

Women  who  love  to  do  for  others  are 
always  lovable  in  themselves.  This  is  not 
necessarily  or  probably  a  quality  of  form, 
fashion,  or  manner,  but  of  the  soul ;  and  the 
possessor  of  that  soul,  in  its  highest  develop- 
ment, must  be  well  known  to  be  appreciated. 
It  is  a  quality  of  unusual  frequency  among 
army  women,  and  yet  the  casual  acquaintance 
would  be  very  shrewd  to  suspect  it.  For,  in 
their  everyday  life,  they  are  so  hedged  about 
by  narrow  limitations  that  little  opportunity 
for  the  open  exercise  of  this  element  occurs. 
Conditions  are  unfavorable ;  there  is  frequent 
isolation  in  dismal  camps  and  remote  garri- 
sons, where  the  preferences  of  life  must  make 
way  for  the  homely  necessities  of  living. 
But  this  refinement  of  the  soul,  in  women, 


138  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

doth  feed  and  strengthen  upon  itself,  so  that 
the  sudden  demands  for  sacrifice  that  accom- 
pany the  army  life  are  never  unsatisfied. 
They  have  their  unrequited  share  in  the 
labor  and  perils  of  the  army.  Reliance  upon 
them  is  seldom  in  vain.  Not  unfrequently 
have  they  sounded  the  keynote  for  tests  of 
the  heroic  capabilities  of  the  men.  They 
have  the  one  or  two  sublime  flights  of  con- 
stancy and  courage  that  may  come  in  a  life- 
time ;  but  beyond,  and  on  all  sides  of  these, 
stretches  the  daily  round  of  existence  in 
waste  places  where  nature  is  sullen ;  the  kill- 
ing monotony  of  unheard-of  camps  ;  difficulty 
after  ditliculty  subdued  and  not  spoken  of. 
The  army  woman  has  true  heroism  in  small 
affairs,  and  it  is  here  that  she  does  mostly 
shine  by  her  own  unconscious  virtue ;  and 
here,  perhaps,  she  reaches  altitudes  of  self- 
sacrifice  undreamed  of,  save  by  the  few  initi- 
ated companions  of  her  exile. 

The  husbands  and  fathers  of  these  women 
understand  them  in  so  far  as  with  man's  baser 
intelligence  they  may,  and  they  show  a  lively 
appreciation  —  generally.  Like  other  men, 
they  have  loud  faults ;  and  one  is  that,  with 
innate  masculine  stupidity,  they  occasionally 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  139 

fall  sliort  in  the  measure  of  regard  and  duti- 
ful respect.  They  have  been  known  to  lay 
at  the  doors  of  their  women's  tongues,  gossip 
and  scandal-causing  circumstances  that  might 
have  found  abiding-places  nearer  home.  But 
the  mainspring  of  their  bearing  is  a  true 
chivalrous  defence  against  all  outsiders. 
They  may  say  things  about  army  women,  but 
civilians  had  better  beware  of  meddling ! 
And  when  it  comes  to  personal  courtesy  and 
attention  in  numberless  ways,  the  army  men 
are  unsurpassable.  Taken  through,  one  may 
say  they  do  their  best  according  to  their 
light ;  and  if  some  stumble  in  darkness,  the 
fault  is  less  general  than  individual.  And  it 
is  consoling  to  reflect  that  Christian  civiliza- 
tion has  several  lengthy  strides  yet  to  take 
before  the  ideal  plane  shall  be  reached.  The 
code  of  these  ofhcers  entitles  them  to  a  place 
in  the  front  rank  of  progress. 

Wallace  had  a  section  of  the  code  served 
to  hira  a  day  or  two  after  the  announcement 
of  the  coming  event  had  been  made.  No  in- 
vitations were  issued  in  garrison,  it  being  a 
garrison  affair  at  which  all  felt  bound  to 
appear.  Some  were  sent  outside.  Willard, 
the  adjutant,  strolled  into  Wallace's  quarters 


140  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

after  morning  drill,  when  he  would  be  sure 
of  finding  him  in,  and  commenced  chatting 
of  the  aifair. 

"  I  suppose  of  course  you  will  escort  some 
one  ?  "  he  said  at  a  stroke. 

Now,  that  was  a  question  Wallace  had  been 
asking  himself.  Being  measuiably  unversed 
in  the  ways  of  life,  and  so  believing  himself 
of  as  large  importance  in  the  world  as  he  was 
in  the  eyes  of  a  single  laughing  girl  some- 
where back  East,  he  aspired  to  all  the  honors 
he  could  carry.  And  more.  He  had  a  strong 
wish  to  escort  some  one,  the  some  one  to  be 
Miss  Harding.  He  was  smitten  with  her  in  a 
harmless  way,  she  being  a  generous  girl  and 
privately  posted  as  to  his  matrimonial  expec- 
tations, and  he  desired  to  show  her  every 
possible  favor.  Thus  it  was  that  he  had 
jumped  at  the  thought  of  being  her  escort. 
But  he  did  not  jump  at  an  opportunity 
to  gain  her  consent.  Some  instinct  moved 
within  him  to  tell  him  that  it  would  be  an 
unwise  measure  ;  that  he  did  not  have  rank 
enough  to  entitle  him  to  precedence  on  this 
occasion.  And  so  he  dilly-dallied,  and  Wil- 
lard's  question  found  him  still  open  for  an 
engagement,  and  pining  thereat. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  141 

"I  don't  know,"  returned  Wallace,  in  as- 
sumed carelessness.  "  I  hadn't  thought  of  it 
—  particularly.  I  suppose  all  the  married 
ladies  will  be  tliere  with  their  husbands?" 
he  inquired,  cautiously. 

"  Ye-es,  I  suppose  so,"  said  Willard,  assent- 
ing to  the  hazard. 

There  was  a  pause,  while  both  men  fumbled 
for  words.  Willard,  however,  felt  sure  of  his 
case,  and  was  only  waiting  for  Wallace  to 
develop  it  for  him. 

"  Miss  Harding  will  go  with  the  Major  and 
Mrs.  Remmick  ?  "  was  Wallace's  next  sugges- 
tion, made  as  though  all  other  possibilities 
were  exhausted. 

"  Ye-es  ;  that  is,  in  a  way.  I  believe  Cap- 
tain Lyndon  expects  to  escort  her  in  person, 
though." 

"  Ah,  I  didn't  know  that !  "  exclaimed  Wal- 
lace, unguardedly. 

"  Oh,  that's  fixed  up.  The  army  never 
allows  its  guests  to  suffer,  Wallace.  We  give 
them  the  best  we've  got." 

"Well,  that's  right."  Wallace  concealed 
but  a  fraction  of  his  disappointment,  but  Wil- 
lard was  determinedly  unobservant  of  it. 

"  Certainly.     The  army  has  a  pretty  high 


142  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

standard  in  these  things,  but  I  see  you  are 
getting  the  hang  of  it  all  right.  Some  men 
don't  get  over  their  civilian  notions  for  a  long 
time.  I  like  to  see  a  youngster  show  some 
sense  and  discretion  in  these  matters,"  and  he 
looked  flatteringly  vipon  Wallace. 

"  That's  all  right  —  thanks,  Willard."  He 
reddened  a  little,  which  was  to  his  credit. 
"  Of  course,  it's  a  gentleman's  business  to 
have,  as  you  say,  a  high  standard.  Well  —  I 
suppose  in  the  case  of  families  all  will  go 
together  ?  " 

If  they  had,  that  would  have  settled  the 
business,  and  Willard  would  have  had  no 
occasion  to  make  this  call. 

"  Why  should  they  ?  "  said  he,  in  mild  sur- 
prise. "  You  wouldn't  expect  Miss  Harding 
to  go  with  the  Major  and  his  wife,  and  no 
special  escort,  would  you  ?  No.  We  must 
treat  all  alike.  The  army  is  too  democratic 
to  allow  of  any  appearance  of  favoritism." 

Wallace  maintained  a  silence  that  was 
oppressive  to  Willard,  for  he  had  a  distinct 
duty  for  him  to  perform. 

"  I  tell  you,  Wallace,"  he  continued,  "  in 
the  army  it's  different  from  civil  life.  We 
are  all  oh  a  social  level  from  the  nth  lieuten- 


IN   BLUE    UNIFORM  143 

ant  up,  or  from  the  ranking  colonel  clown. 
It  is  a  mere  matter  of  promotion,  and  socially 
one  man  is  as  good  as  another.  Same  way 
with  our  women.  We  treat  them  all  alike, 
for  army  women  never  grow  old.  That's 
where  they  differ  from  their  civil  sisters. 
We  are  glad  to  pay  them  equal  attention  at 
all  times,  and  when  you  consider  all  they  go 
through  for  us,  it  is  no  more  than  they 
deserve." 

"That's  so!"  declared  Wallace,  with  a  de- 
gree of  warmth  that  was  of  comfort  to  Wil- 
lard,  for  the  trump  card  had  been  played. 
"  Well,  let's  see,  then,  looking  at  it  as  a  mat- 
ter of  duty  —  oh,  of  pleasant  duty  —  well,  of 
pleasure,  then,  and  leave  duty  out,"  said  he, 
for  Willard  did  not  appear  to  agree  with  his 
manner  of  looking  at  it.  "  To  begin  near  the 
top, — for  rank  and  age  go  together,  —  there's 
Miss  Burns,  now.  Wonder  if  anybody  is 
going  to  take  her  ?  " 

"  Nobody  is  going  to  leave  her,"  said  Wil- 
lard, more  quietly,  for  Wallace  had  at  last 
taken  the  trail  he  designated.  "  I  don't  know 
if  any  one  has  spoken  to  her  about  it.  Haven't 
heard  the  fellows  mention  it." 

"That's  not  to  be  wondered  at,"  com- 
mented Wallace. 


144  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"It  is  a  case  in  point,"  said  Willard,  ignor- 
ing his  reraai'k.  "  She  is  a  little  past  the 
blush,  to  be  sure,  and  she  never  was  pretty, 
exactly.  You  can't  expect  such  a  personal 
blessing  as  that  in  this  God-forsaken  climate. 
But  there  isn't  a  better  girl  in  the  whole 
United  States  army,  and  what  is  more,  she 
belongs  to  the  regiment.  Born  in  it,  lived  in 
it;  if  she  don't  marry  out  of  it,  hope  she  may 
die  in  it.  And  a  fellow,  especially  a  young 
fellow  like  you,  Wallace,  w^ith  your  expecta- 
tions of  bringing  out  a  wife  yourself  some 
day,  needn't  be  afraid  of  ingratiating  himself 
with  the  regimental  ladies." 

"  There's  no  harm  in  asking  her,  anyway," 
remarked  Wallace,  tentatively.  "  As  you  say, 
she's  old,  and  she's  homely ;  and  she  can't 
talk  a  little  bit.  Does  she  dance,  do  you 
happen  to  know  ?  " 

Willard  fenced  cautiously.  He  did  not 
mean  to  lose  the  game  when  it  was  so  nearly 
secured.  "  No,  I  don't  knov/  ;  that  is  to  say, 
I  never  danced  with  her  myself.  I  was  never 
stationed  with  her  before,  and  we  don't  get 
a  dance  out  here  very  often,  anyway." 

"  Anybody  would  be  excusable  for  getting 
rusty  on  dancing,"  said  Wallace,  half  bitterly. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  145 

"  I'll  try  it,  anyway,"  he  added.  "  Loyalty  to 
the  regimental  ladies  a  good  thing?  Well, 
you'll  find  me  there  every  time !  I'm  glad 
you  mentioned  her,  too,  Willard.  It  don't 
make  a  particle  of  difference  whom  I  take, 
and  I  hadn't  thought  of  her  myself." 

"  Oh,  that's  all  right.  I  didn't  mean  to 
make  any  suggestion  —  merely  inquiring 
casually,"  said  Willard,  mendaciously.  "  But 
it's  a  good  point  to  remember:  army  women 
never  grow  old.  Well,  must  go  now.  Good 
day." 

"  So  long." 

Willard  hastened  home  and  told  his  wife 
her  plan  had  worked  admirably.  Later, 
when  they  saw  Wallace  go  up  the  Line  to 
Captain  Burns's  quarters,  they  felt  that  they 
had  reaped  a  full  recompense.  For  Miss 
Burns  had  intimated  in  Mrs.  Willard's  hear- 
ing that  she  should  not  attend.  Plainly,  this 
was  because  no  escort  offered.  Now  Miss 
Burns  would  attend,  matters  would  go 
smoothly,  and  there  would  be  no  hackling 
of  any  one's  feelings.  Mrs.  Willard  had 
acted  so  delicately  in  the  matter  that  Miss 
Burns  could  never  suspect  her  of  complicity 
in  a  plot  to  provide  escorts ;  and  the  result 


146  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

was  entirely  along  the  desirable  line  of  regi- 
mental harmony. 

With  the  easy  adaptability  of  army  life, 
the  chapel  was  made  into  a  dancing  pavilion 
for  the  night.  It  was  the  one  building  at  the 
post  that  admitted  of  general  use.  Ordinarily 
it  was  a  school-house.  On  exceptional  Sab- 
baths religious  services  were  held  in  it,  and 
it  took  its  name  from  this  rarer  quality.  A 
squad  of  soldiers  made  short  work  of  the 
benches,  and  the  limited  floor  space,  notori- 
ously rough,  was  made  ready  for  the  dancing. 
No  wax  was  required ;  brooms  and  scrubbing- 
brushes  did  its  business  quickly. 

Requisition  was  made  upon  Thompson, 
the  quartermaster,  for  a  great  mass  of  flags 
and  bunting;  and  this  was  draped  about 
the  ragged  walls  according  to  the  enlisted 
man's  idea  of  the  artistic.  At  any  rate,  it 
was  so  disposed  as  to  cover  the  broken  plas- 
tering, which  was  a  point  gained.  And  then 
one  of  the  companies  contributed  a  stand  of 
arms,  from  which  the  punch-kettle  was  to  be 
suspended;  and  Captain  Eagan's  cavalry 
troop  surrendered  their  sabres,  which  were 
ingeniously  fitted  together  in  the  form  of 
stars,  and   secured   against   the  background 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  147 

of  bunting.  The  schoolmaster's  platform 
was  reserved  for  the  orchestra,  improvised 
from  the  regimental  band,  and  a  tent  pitched 
outside  and  near  a  window  answered  admi- 
rably for  a  refreshment  room.  Thus  the 
scene  was  prepared  for  an  evening  of  dancing 
and  light,  and  it  was  viewed  with  satisfaction 
as  representing  passably  well  the  army  notion. 
There  was  some  talk  of  drawing  in  the  reveille 
gun  to  stand  on  the  platform,  muzzle  on,  to 
the  party ;  thus  each  arm  of  the  service  would 
have  been  represented  in  the  decorations. 
But  it  was  feared  the  gun  might  have  a 
depressing  effect,  as  a  moral  engine,  and  so 
mar  the  perfection  of  the  evening,  and  the 
idea  was  abandoned.  The  detail  of  enlisted 
men  who  did  the  work  of  garlanding  were 
well  satisfied  with  the  result.  With  more 
resources,  they  would  have  made  a  better 
showing;  but  their  labors  had  been  conscien- 
tiously performed,  and  the  effect  was  decid- 
edly army ;  and  that,  after  all,  was  what  they 
had  striven  for. 

The  night  itself  was  still  and  white  as 
Texan  summer  nights  are.  The  silences  of 
the  prairie  were  accentuated  by  the  occasional 
distant  yelping  of  some  brute  outcast.    There 


148  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

was  a  conscious  rhythm  flowing  through, 
which  might  have  been  the  soft  breeze  in  the 
tree-tops  along  tlie  creek  bottom,  or  the  pretty 
wimpling  of  the  water.  Tlie  moon  rode  down 
the  expanse  of  heaven,  clothed  in  white 
gi-andeur,  and  barring  the  earth's  surface 
with  blackest  shadows;  the  spaces  between 
were  brilliant  in  her  pale,  strong  shining. 
But  she  met  with  rivalry  at  the  post  chapel, 
all  glowing  with  oil  lamps  in  every  window. 
A  resonance  of  music  filtered  from  it,  and 
when  the  door  was  opened,  couples  were  seen 
to  go  whirling  gaily  by.  Cups  clinked  in 
the  tent;  sliced  lemon  perfumed  the  imme- 
diate air;  soldiers  on  temporary  refreshment 
duty  came  and  went  awkwardly  with  trays. 
Within  and  without  there  was  a  commingling 
of  voices,  a  touching  of  hands,  an  interblend- 
ing  of  conditions.  The  dance  was  on,  and 
the  army  was  enjoying  itself  in  unstinted 
fashion. 

Large  assemblies  were  uncommon ;  a  dance 
was  a  rarity ;  so  the  room  was  crowded  as  it 
never  was  for  schooling  or  chapeling.  Every 
one  in  the  garrison  entitled  to  be  present 
took  glad  advantage  of  this  right  and  came. 
Those  discriminatingly  bidden  from  without 


IN   BLUE    UNIFOBM  149 

were  present,  their  black  coats  suspicious 
of  packing-box  wrinkles.  And  all  around, 
fringing  the  circle  of  light  and  pressing  to 
the  windows,  were  laundresses  from  the  mar- 
ried men's  quarters,  and  enlisted  men  them- 
selves, and  many  a  dark  face  of  negro  or 
Mexican.  For  plainspeople  do  not  greatly 
affect  ceremonious  social  musters  ;  and  curi- 
osity drew  them  irresistibly  towards  this 
approximation  to  remember  scenes  that  these 
transplanted  people  were  disporting  them- 
selves in. 

Time  ran  like  water  in  a  brook  with  the 
gay  party.  The  musicians,  fortified  to  their 
unaccustomed  task  with  deep  draughts, 
threw  themselves  with  vigor  into  the  work, 
and  executed,  literally,  succeeding  waltz, 
polka,  and  gallop.  The  couples  danced  to 
this  music  when  practicable,  and  when  not, 
promenaded.  Some  danced  but  rustily  at 
the  best,  and  were  content  with  a  little ;  yet 
there  was  not  a  woman  who  had  not  or  mioht 
not  have  done  bravely  at  footing  it  delicately 
in  some  past  day.  The  officers,  too,  betraj^ed 
an  unaccustomed  touch.  The  older  ones 
moved  with  grand,  military  precision;  the 
younger,  Avith  a  phantom  of  West  Point  days 


150  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

in  their  mind's  eye,  swung  witli  more  certain 
vigor.  Each  one  claimed  Millicent  for  a 
dance,  and  when  the  older  ones  upon  inquiry 
found  themselves  anticipated  by  the  young- 
sters, they  were  politely  surprised ;  duly 
depressed ;  concluded  it  was  probably  better 
so  for  Miss  Harding ;  for  themselves,  they 
had  not  danced  since  — ;  danced  better  in 
the  spirit  than  the  flesh,  anyway ;  and  so 
saying,  resigned  themselves,  and  strove  to 
escape  the  vigilant  wifely  eye  on  the  passage 
to  the  refreshment  tent.  Thus,  between  the 
young  and  the  old,  Millicent  did  not  suffer 
from  lack  of  due  attention,  and  had  a  vastly 
good  time. 

The  heavy  instruments  of  the  orchestra 
thundered  and  rumbled  unavailingly  against 
the  screaming  violins ;  couples  waltzed  and 
walked ;  mothers  of  families  were  danced 
once  about  the  room  by  their  husbands,  then 
gave  it  up  and  sat  agaiost  the  wall  in  a  state 
of  perpetual  conversation  with  all  comers. 
Each  smiled  and  nodded  to  each.  And  in 
the  warm  midst  of  the  unchecked  play,  a 
young  officer,  fresh  to  the  fight  and  clad  in 
resplendent  uniform,  strode  in.  The  men 
nearest  him  shouted,  and  made  a  dash  for  his 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  151 

hand ;  the  women  screamed  at  him  joyfully ; 
others  turned  to  look,  then  joined  in ;  the 
music  was  being  wasted,  for  all  were  giving 
hearty  greeting. 

"  Lawrence  !  This  is  great  luck  !  How 
did  you  ever  do  it !  " 

"Bagged  no  robbers  yet?  Better  luck 
next  time ! " 

And  the  Major,  his  purple  face  shining 
through  a  gathered  mist  of  perspiration, 
struCToied  to  him  to  do  the  honors. 

"  And  Lawrence  forty  miles  away ! "  he 
cried,  witli  famous  adaptation.  "  We  just 
needed  you,  Lawrence.  Hadn't  the  slightest 
idea  you  could  get  here,  though.  Well,  well, 
I'm  glad  enough.  Come  right  along  up  to 
the  head  of  the  procession." 

So  Lawrence  laughingly  fought  off  his 
comrades  and  went  up  the  room  to  where 
Mrs.  Remmick  and  Millicent  stood.  He  was 
tanned  warmly,  as  blonde  men  do  tan,  from 
his  exposed  camp  on  the  stage  line. 

"  That  is  Mr.  Lawrence  coming,"  Mrs. 
Remmick  whispered  to  Millicent. 

Mr.  Lawrence  !  She  had  not  recognized  him 
in  the  change  from  scouting  rig  to  full  uniform. 
Surprised,  she  felt  her  color  rising,  and  was 


152  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

angry  with  herself  for  it.  But  she  did  not 
quite  understand  why  every  one  was  making 
such  a  fuss  over  him.  Then  he  came  up,  and 
bent  over  her  aunt's  hand,  and  turned  to  her. 

"  This  is  the  great  transformation  scene," 
she  laughed.  "  1  am  not  at  all  sure  you  are 
the  desperado-looking  man  who  rode  all  round 
the  stage  that  day." 

The  very  same,  he  assured  her,  and  none 
other. 

"And  how  are  your  familiars,  the  rob- 
bers?" she  inquired. 

"  They  are  very  tantalizing.  I  have  not 
once  caught  sight  of  them  in  all  my  riding." 

"  How  sad !  You  must  have  been  quite 
homesick  for  the  sight  of  a  friendly  face." 
And  then  she  regretted  having  said  that. 

"I  was  —  I  was.  And  so  I  rode  forty 
miles  to  get  here,  see  the  face  of  that  friend, 
and  claim  a  dance  with  the  owner  of  it.  Am 
I  too  late?"  And  he  made  a  movement  to 
take  her  card. 

"  You  progress  in  your  acquaintance  as 
you  ride  —  very  rapidly,"  said  she,  in  some 
protest.  He  might  have  thought  she  was 
complimenting  his  horsemanship,  but  for  her 
qualification.     "And  I  fear  you  are  too  late. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFOEM  153 

The  dancing  is  nearly  over,  and  Captain 
Lyndon  has  the  two  that  are  left.  Is  he 
generous  ?  "  she  inquired,  tentatively,  with  a 
suggestion  in  her  eyes. 

"  He  would  be  generous  to  a  fault,  if  there 
was  one.  He  will  divide  with  me  to  the  last. 
Captain  —  "  He  turned  to  where  Lyndon  had 
stood  near,  but  he  was  gone.  Colonel  Bruff 
had  come  up  to  him,  and,  touching  him  on 
the  shoulder,  had  said  peculiarly  : 

"  One  of  your  men,  I  believe.  Captain  ?  " 
The  Captain  had  been  dreaming,  with  his 
eyes  on  Millicent's  face,  and  Mrs.  Remmick 
looking  at  him  approvingly.  He  awoke  with 
a  start,  and  followed  the  direction  of  the 
Colonel's  glance.  Nearly  every  one  had 
worn  away  from  the  door,  and  come  near 
Lawrence ;  and  an  enlisted  man,  very  much 
the  worse  for  the  refreshment  tent,  had  strad- 
dled in,  and  was  weaving  tipsily  towards 
them.  Tliis  was  Burton.  There  was  a  sud- 
den hush  in  all  the  room,  upon  which  his 
drunken  tones  were  loud,  as  he  waved  his 
arms  fleeringly,  and  repeated :  — 

"'Come,  fill  the  cup,  and  in  the  fire  of  spring 
Your  winter  garment  of  repentance  fling  ! ' 

Ole  man's  got  good  liquor  on  to-night !  " 


154  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

Lyndon  bowed  to  the  Colonel,  and  started 
towards  the  man.  But  as  quick  as  he  was, 
some  one  else  was  quicker.  Miller  advanced 
upon  Burton,  and  hissed  at  him  : 

"  Clear  out !     You  drunken  dog  !  " 

"That's  bad  language  'tween  gent  —  gent'- 
men,  y'  know,"  retorted  the  staggering  man. 
"  I  got's  good  right  here's  you  have.  Take 
that,  y'  drunken  dog !  " 

And  upon  that  he  spun  around  with  out- 
stretched arm,  and  slapped  Miller  in  the 
face. 

Lyndon's  hand  was  upon  Burton's  collar  in 
a  moment,  and  he  stayed  the  angry  attempt 
of  Miller  to  avenge  the  red  mark  on  his 
cheek.  "  There  is  another  way,"  he  said. 
Then :  "  Burton,  march  before  me  to  the 
door.     March  ! " 

Burton  looked  at  him  in  vinous  stupidity. 

"Oh,  Cap'n,  is  it?  Cert'n'y,  Cap'n,  do 
anything  you  say."  And  he  went  waveringly 
out  at  the  door,  Lyndon  at  his  heels. 

There  was  a  pause  for  a  moment,  when 
each  looked  questioningly  at  another.  Milli- 
cent's  face  was  as  red  as  Miller's  own,  where 
the  man's  hand  had  fallen  upon  it.  Colonel 
B:uff  made  a  sisrnificant  motion  to  the  musi- 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  155 

cians,  and  they  struck  into  the  last  waltz. 
The  guests  moved  once  more,  animated  by 
the  music  and  by  the  closing  hour.  Law- 
rence turned  to  Millicent,  whose  side  he  had 
not  left. 

"  Come,  Miss  Harding,"  he  pleaded.  "  Cap- 
tain Lyndon  will  hardly  be  back  in  time  to 
dance.     Give  me  this  one." 

They  took  a  few  turns,  and  she  stopped. 
"  I  cannot  dance,"  said  she,  and  he  led  her  to 
a  seat.  "Such  a  sight  affects  me  so  —  the 
brutishness  of  it.  I  am  so  sorry  such  a  thing 
should  occur.     It  is  terrible  !  " 

"  It  was  unpleasant,"  he  admitted.  "  But 
drinking  is  a  common  fault  with  the  men. 
The  worst  of  it  is  that  it  should  be  so 
exposed." 

"  Oh  no,"  said  she,  earnestly.  "  The  worst 
of  it  is  that  the  ungoverned  fault  should  be 
there." 

Lawrence  looked  at  her  curiously.  He 
had  grown  so  habituated  to  drunkenness 
among  the  enlisted  men  on  the  slightest 
pretext  or  on  no  pretext  at  all,  and  to  free 
drinking  everj^where,  that  this  untainted  view 
struck  him  as  a  novelty.  He  did  not  know 
what  to  say,  but  he  had  to  make  some  reply. 


156  IN    BLUE    UNIFOIiM 

"  I  don't  know  but  you  are  right,"  said  he. 
And  the  more  he  thought  about  it,  the  more 
he  became  convinced  that  she  was. 

The  waltz  came  to  an  end,  and  people  pre- 
l^ared  to  go  away.  Still,  Lyndon  did  not 
return.  The  Major  turned  almost  anxiously 
to  Millicent,  and  spoke  in  extenuation. 

"  Captain  Lyndon  is  probably  detained 
about  confining  his  man,"  said  he.  "  Always 
is  some  kink  in  the  matter.  If  he  doesn't 
get  back  — "  His  eye  sought  Lawrence 
helplessly. 

"  If  I  may  escort  Miss  Llarding,  I  shall  be 
glad,"  said  Lawrence,  quickly. 

Lyndon  did  not  return,  and  Lawrence 
walked  with  her  the  short  distance  from  tlie 
chapel  to  the  Major's  quarters. 

"  This  was  really  your  due,"  said  she. 
"After  that  long  ride,  and  not  getting  a 
dance,  after  all.  The  wind  shall  be  tempered 
to  you  a  little." 

"Shall  I  regard  you  as  a  special  Provi- 
dence ?  "  he  asked.  "  I  should  like  to,  for  I 
am  still  unsatisfied.  This  is  one  of  those 
times  when  a  fellow  can't  get  enough.  He 
can  only  be  duly  grateful  for  such  favors  as 
may  be  shown  him." 


IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM  157 

"Aren't  you  repaid  for  your  ride  yet?" 
asked  Millicent,  as  she  extended  her  hand  in 
parting. 

"•Quite,"  said  he,  bending  low  over  it. 
"  That  is  cancelled.  But  I  want  to  open  an 
account." 

"  That  is  quite  impossible,"  said  she.  "  The 
terms  are  cash."  She  laughed  as  she  said  it, 
remembering  the  proposition  about  the  mistle- 
toe.    But  Lawrence  could  not  know  that. 


X 


The  inruption  of  the  drunken  soldier 
gave  an  unpleasant  color  to  subsequent  dis- 
cussion of  the  dance.  Even  when  it  was  not 
mentioned,  it  was  felt  as  an  unhappy  occur- 
rence and  a  direct  commentarj^  on  the  futility 
of  the  army's  social  system.  Overlooking  the 
fact  of  Burton's  intoxication,  which  might 
have  made  his  tongue  unruly,  it  was  a  piece 
of  unparalleled  audacity  for  him  to  declare 
his  right  to  be  present.  This  was  the  senti- 
ment of  the  garrison,  commissioned  and  en- 
listed, for  strong  old  custom  declared  against 
the  doctrine  thus  advanced.  Of  course,  he 
must  have  been  drunk,  or  he  would  have  said 
nothing  so  outrageous.  The  fact  that  he  had 
been  ordered  out  to  assist  in  the  tent  gave  him 
no  right,  fancied  or  real,  to  intrude  upon  the 
floor.  It  was  against  all  the  canons  of  the 
army  and  all  good  discipline  for  him  to  do  so. 
This  was  what  the  officers  said ;  and  when 
Millicent,  feeling  argumentative  and  looking 

158 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  159 

at  the  moral  side  of  it,  asked  "  why  "  he  had 
no  right  to  be  there,  Mrs.  Remmick  shivered 
at  the  bare  suggestion. 

"  My  dear,"  said  she,  "  it  would  never  do." 

As  a  reason  that  was  on  a  parity  with 
"because,"  and  was  equally  unanswerable. 
So  she  turned  to  Captain  Lyndon,  who  had 
smiled  queerly  at  her  first  question. 

"  Had  he  not  as  much  right  there  as  an- 
other man,  circumstances  not  considered  ? " 
she  asked. 

"  I  would  hardly  carry  it  that  far,"  said  he. 
"  But  let  me  ask  you  a  question.  Would  you 
have  been  willing  to  dance  with  him  ?  " 

"  As  he  was,  certainly  not." 

"  But  if  he  had  been  sober  ?  " 

"  Yes.     I  believe  I  would." 

"  Millicent ! "  exclaimed  her  aunt.  "  A 
common  soldier ! " 

"  That  would  not  have  made  a  particle  of 
difference,  dear  aunt,"  returned  Millicent, 
composedly. 

Mrs.  Remmick  looked  upon  her  in  despair. 
"  Of  course  that  is  only  because  you  are  so 
unaccustomed  to  the  army,"  she  said,  in  ex- 
tenuation. "  When  a  man  enlists  he  abandons 
all  claims  he  may  ever  have  had  to  a  gentle- 


160  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

man's  estate.  I  am  surprised  you  do  not  see 
that." 

"I  see  it  plainly,  aunt,"  said  Millicent. 
"  The  only  point  is,  that  I  don't  agree  with 
you.  It  does  not  seem  to  me  that  enlisting 
would  change  his  nature.  To  be  sure,  I 
don't  know  anything  about  this  man  —  Bur- 
ton, is  it  ?  —  whether  he  was  a  gentleman  or 
a  —  a  —  burglar.  If  he  was  a  burglar,  you 
would  still  expect  him  to  be  a  burglar  at 
heart,  wouldn't  you  ?  " 

"  He  wasn't  a  gentleman,  that's  sure, "  said 
Mrs.  Reinmick,  evasively.  "  Just  think  how 
drunk  he  was !  " 

"  As  to  that,"  said  Millicent,  with  rising 
color,  "  I  do  not  think  he  was  the  only  one 
who  drank  too  much.  There  were  several 
gentlemen  who  found  the  floor  too  uneven  for 
dancing." 

Mrs.  Remmick  disposed  the  fabric  she  was 
working  on  in  her  lap  with  a  shake  that 
meant  severe  displeasure.  She  thought  Mil- 
licent was  making  herself  very  unpleasant 
before  Captain  Lyndon.  There  were  things 
about  tlie  army  that  might  be  observed,  but 
never  spoken  of.  She  closed  her  lips  tightly, 
resolved  to  give  Millicent  no  further  oppor- 


IN    BLUE    UNIFOEM  161 

tunity  for  such  utterances.  And  then  Lyn- 
don came  to  the  rescue.  Although  she  knew 
him  to  be  given  to  "queer"  fancies,  she  was 
surprised  that  he  shoukl  fall  in  with  the 
spirit  of  Millicent's  words  in  any  degree. 
He  seemed  to  approve  her  sentiment,  although 
he  did  not  wholly  commit  himself. 

"  After  all,  it  is  very  little  different  from 
your  civil  society,"  said  he.  "  Your  butler 
and  your  coachman  are  not  on  intimate  terms 
with  your  guests.  It  may  sometimes  happen 
that  a  son  of  good  family  drives  your  cab,  or 
that  a  gentleman  enlists.  But  these  cases 
are  the  exceptions,  and  only  prove  the  rule. 
The  fact  of  a  man  being  in  the  ranks  is  good 
and  acceptable  evidence  that  he  is  not  en- 
titled to  the  honors  of  your  table.  And  here, 
we  are  stringent  on  a  double  account ;  and 
the  other  side  of  it  is  discipline.  The  army 
exists  by  discipline ;  and  where  would  that 
be  if  privates  and  colonels  were  on  terms 
of  good  fellowship?  I  admire  your  theory, 
Miss  Harding,  and  am  committed  to  it 
myself  up  to  a  certain  point.  But  with 
us  it  would  work  out  to  an  absurdity  And 
after  all,  I  believe  it  was  only  in  theory  that 
you  would  dance  with  the  man."  He  laughed 
convincingly. 


162  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"Don't  be  too  sure  —  and  don't  press  the 
point,"  said  she,  pleading  with  her  eyes.  She 
knew  that  he  had  rightly  judged  her  devotion 
to  the  theory  of  social  equality.  It  went  no 
further  than  his  own.  And  then  they  wan- 
dered into  a  desultory  conversation  upon 
painting,  in  which  Millicent  led,  and  Lyndon 
followed  bravely  at  his  best  pace.  And  Mrs. 
Remmick,  seeing  peace  firmly  established, 
left  them  to  their  discussion. 

Among  the  officers,  Ljaidon  was  generally 
held  morally  responsible  for  the  Burton  inci- 
dent. Not  that  he  furnished  the  liquor,  or 
had  any  part  in  it,  but  because  his  method  of 
dealing  with  his  company  was  misunderstood. 
Lawrence  was  the  only  man  to  combat  this 
sentiment.  He  declared  vigorously  that  the 
company  had  improved  in  every  way  vmder 
Lyndon's  management ;  and  as  they  heard  his 
words,  and  noted  his  manner,  Lawrence  soon 
ceased  to  be  pestered  with  remarks  deroga- 
tory to  his  captain ;  and  he  would  have  had 
to  go  afield  to  carry  on  the  fight.  But  the 
feeling  did  not  languish  on  that  account. 
Tlie  officers  told  themselves  and  each  other 
that  it  was  outrageous  misfortune  to  have 
such    a   thing   occur   before   civilian   guests. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  163 

The  Colonel,  though  keeping  his  own  coun- 
sel, was  believed  to  be  favorable  to  the 
popular  sentiment,  for  he  was  a  thorough- 
going martinet,  and  some  had  noticed  the 
manner  in  which  he  called  Lyndon's  atten- 
tion to  Burton  at  the  dance.  Lyndon  was 
condemned  on  all  sides. 

He  had  been  struggling  with  a  hard  task 
for  months  —  ever  since  he  attained  his  cap- 
taincy. The  former  captain  of  the  company 
had  been  incapacitated  for  duty,  and  away 
on  sick  leave  a  long  time  before  being  re- 
tired ;  and  in  his  absence  the  company  had 
been  unfortunately  knocked  about  from  com- 
mander to  commander.  Its  regular  lieuten- 
ants were  on  detached  duty,  and  there  was 
no  one  to  take  a  permanent  interest  in  its 
welfare.  At  intervals  of  a  few  weeks,  differ- 
ent lieutenants  would  be  assigned  to  its  com- 
mand, and  to  do  them  justice,  each  one  tried 
conscientiously  to  make  something  out  of  it. 
But  as  each  one  had  various  little  peculiari- 
ties of  his  own,  and  went  at  the  business  of 
discipline  with  varying  degrees  of  perspicacity 
and  determination,  little  progress  was  made. 
The  company  fell  into  disrepute ;  it  had  the 
largest  percentage  of  any  in  the  guard-house ; 


164  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

its  drill  was  the  raggedest;  its  target  record 
at  the  tail  of  the  regiment ;  every  graceless 
scamp  transferred  from  the  iron-clad  compa- 
nies to  this,  where  some  latitude  offered  ;  and 
three-quarters  of  the  soldier-deviltry  kicked 
up  in  garrison  was  laid  with  good  suspicion 
at  the  door  of  this  company.  It  had  been 
suggested  that  the  company  be  disbanded, 
and  reformed  by  drafts  from  the  other  com- 
panies ;  but  as  the  captains  severally  pro- 
tested against  losing  their  best  men  and  get- 
ting bad  men  in  exchange,  this  was  never 
done.  And  so  the  company  was  sadly  in 
need  of  a  strong  hand  when  Lyndon  was 
promoted  to  it,  and  came  to  the  post  to 
assume  the  command. 

Lyndon  had  a  reputation  with  the  enlisted 
men  of  being  an  easy,  indulgent  commander. 
During  his  years  in  the  regiment  he  had 
seemed  loath  to  punish,  and  inclined  to  rely 
more  upon  the  men  themselves  than  the  other 
officers  were.  This  the  men  took  to  be  a  siern 
of  weakness,  and  an  acknowledgment  of  ina- 
bility to  cope  with  serious  situations.  Tliis 
was  a  short-sighted  theory,  inasmuch  as  Lyn- 
don had  never  been  permitted  to  exercise  an 
independent  command  for  any  length  of  time. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  165 

The  company  found  an  unlioly  joy  in  antici- 
pating his  arrival.  When  some  one  remarked 
that  he  had  never  had  any  trouble  with  his 
men,  the  reply  came  that  so  long  as  he  let 
the  men  do  as  they  pleased,  there  could  be 
no  trouble.  The  men  believed  that  the  new 
captain  would  interpose  no  serious  bar  to  the 
exercise  of  their  will  and  pleasure. 

It  had  been  their  will  and  pleasure  to  get 
very  drunk  on  each  monthly  pay-day.  Other 
companies  would  get  drunk  sometimes  and 
sometimes  not,  but  this  company  never  missed 
a  date.  They  could  be  depended  upon,  and 
the  guard-house  cleared  of  lumber  for  their 
reception.  But  what  did  they  care  for  that? 
A  small  fine,  or  a  few  days  of  confinement  — 
there  was  nothing  unpleasant  in  it.  So,  on 
the  first  pay-day  when  Lyndon  called  the 
roll,  they  proceeded  with  the  usual  process 
of  juicing  down  and  getting  all  the  drunken- 
ness they  could  out  of  their  pay ;  and,  being 
adepts  at  the  business,  this  was  considerable. 
That  night  two  men  developed  delirium 
tremens,  this  being  a  climax,  and  were 
strapped  in  the  hospital.  The  others  were 
not  disturbed,  and  they  had  a  royal  time 
among  themselves.  They  were  surprised  at 
the  limitless  leniency  of  the  new  captain. 


166  IN   BLUE    UNIFORM 

So  through  the  night,  limited  only  by  the 
efforts  of  a  few  reliable  non-commissioned 
officers  acting  under  Lyndon's  orders.  The 
next  morning  they  were  sad-eyed  and  weary. 
They  were  indisposed  to  effort,  and  devel- 
oped a  variety  of  alcoholic  ills.  They  made 
a  lagging  procession  to  tlie  hospital  when 
sick-call  sounded,  and  in  feeble  voices  re- 
counted to  the  surgeon  their  incapacities  for 
work.  They  did  not  ask  to  be  taken  into  the 
hospital  for  treatment,  but  only  to  be  excused 
from  duty  for  the  day.  The  surgeon  heard 
them  through,  and  wrote  in  the  sick-book  his 
disposition  of  each  case.  To  their  dismay  he 
wrote  the  one  word;  "Duty." 

The  hour  for  drill  came,  and  the  sun  was 
piping  hot.  Captain  Lyndon  strode  across 
the  parade,  girt  with  sword,  for  the  duty. 
Two  or  three  of  the  more  shaky  ones  saluted 
him,  and  asked  a  personal  favor :  Would 
the  Captain  kindly  excuse  them  from  the 
drill  ?     They  were  sick. 

"  Why  didn't  you  go  to  the  hospital  ?  "  he 
asked. 

"  We  did,  sir." 

"  Didn't  the  surgeon  excuse  3^ou  ?  " 

"  No,  sir.     He  marked  us  '  duty.'  " 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  167 

"Then    'duty'    it    is,   Isoys.     I   can't   go 
ao-ainst  the  doctor's  orders." 

The  assembly  sounded,  and  the  company 
formed.  Lyndon  drew  his  sword,  and  com- 
menced the  hour's  drill.  To  the  unhappy 
men  it  was  an  era  of  torment.  Never  had 
a  drill-master  been  so  exacting;  never  had 
they  been  so  disinclined  to  drill.  Up  and 
down  the  parade  he  marched  them,  the  sun 
baking  their  backs  and  blinding  their  sodden 
eyes.  They  marched  in  line  and  in  column, 
company  front  and  by  platoons  ;  they  wheeled 
and  turned;  they  deployed  as  skirmishers, 
and  assembled  on  the  far  flank  at  a  run.  A 
hundred  times  they  mentally  cursed  the  mer- 
ciless captain ;  a  thousand  times  they  cursed 
their  own  folly  in  drinking  to  excess.  They 
stumbled  and  staggered  like  blind  men, 
heavy-headed,  shaky-kneed,  with  paiched 
tongues  and  roasting  eyeballs.  The  other 
companies,  after  a  time  of  drill,  rested  for  a 
space  in  the  shade  ;  not  so  with  them.  Cap- 
tain Lyndon  was  out  for  drill,  and  he  drove 
them  up  and  down  the  rectangle  for  one  hour 
without  stopping.  Then  in  gentle  tones  he 
said  their  drill  was  far  from  satisfactory,  and 
that  they  should  turn  out  for  another  hour 


168  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

of  it  in  the  afternoon.  He  dismissed  them, 
and  they  fell  on  their  bunks,  exhausted. 
They  were  very  sober.  At  the  end  of  the 
aftei'noon  drill,  beneath  a  yet  better  sun, 
they  were  repentant.  And  that  was  the  be- 
ginning of  a  great  change  in  Lyndon's  com- 
pany. 

As  the  company  rallied  from  its  disrepu 
table  condition,  the  men  found  that  the  Cap- 
tain was  so  far  from  being  weak  and  easy 
that  he  was  one  of  the  sternest  disciplinarians 
in  the  post;  and  yet  the  outer  appearance 
of  the  case  did  not  indicate  this.  The 
men  could  do  what  they  pleased  so  long 
as  they  pleased  to  follow  regulations  and 
obey  orders ;  when  they  chose  some  other 
line,  trouble  ensued  with  startling  celerity. 
Thunderbolts  out  of  a  clear  sky  were  noth- 
ing to  it.  But  it  was  quite  a  company  affair. 
The  whole  garrison  was  seldom  advised  of 
it  by  public  imprisonment  and  trial.  Under 
such  conditions  the  status  of  the  company 
improved  ;  the  men  found  an  interest,  both 
individually  and  as  an  organization,  in  their 
duties,  and  took  a  new  pride  in  the  com- 
pany's reputation ;  so  that  it  became  excel- 
lent in  drill,  and  noted  at  the  targets.     The 


IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM  169 

men  found  what  it  was  to  possess  the  respect 
of  the  Captain  —  something  before  unthought 
of.  The  company  kitchen  improved,  and  the 
barrack  took  on  an  air  of  comfort.  There  was 
a  uniform  supply  of  white  stoneware,  clean, 
for  the  table ;  and  sheets  and  pillow-cases 
were  conspicuous  on  the  bunks  at  Sunday 
morning  inspection  of  quarters,  when  all 
the  officers  went  through,  comparing  notes. 
These  things  were  in  advance  of  the  expe- 
rience of  other  companies,  and  Lyndon's  got 
the  name  of  being  almost  Sybaritic  in  the 
luxury  of  its  appointments.  Affairs  went 
very  well.  The  men  had  learned  that  Lyn- 
don had  a  heavy  hand.  They  were  glad,  and 
respected  it.  But  it  was  not  always  in  sight, 
and  they  were  known  to  brag  of  their  cap- 
tain's "  way,"  as  differing  from  the  ways  of 
other  captains. 

That  was  delightful  to  look  upon,  and 
Lyndon  deserved  credit  for  the  picture.  But 
it  was  not  always  Sunday  morning  inspection 
in  the  quarters.  There  were  off  days  for  the 
whole  company,  when  they  breathed  a  black 
wind  against  all  the  world ;  and  there  were 
certain  men  in  it  who  demanded  extra  con- 
sideration in  handlinor.     Burton  was  amongf 


170  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

these.  He  was  one  of  the  most  intelligent 
men  in  the  company,  and  had  been  a  leading 
spirit  in  soldier-wickedness.  But  after  that 
first  disastrous  j^ay-day,  he  had  recognized 
Lyndon's  authority,  and  had  held  up  his 
head  satisfactorily.  He  did  not  appear  to  be 
anything  out  of  the  common  run,  nor  did 
he  make  any  professions  of  reform ;  they 
would  not  have  sounded  well  in  his  mouth. 
But  he  had  been  instrumental  in  the  com- 
pany's improvement  solely  by  force  of  ex- 
ample. Lyndon  knew  this,  and  was  willing 
to  acknowledge  it  as  he  might.  He  could 
not  go  to  Burton  and  thank  him ;  but  he 
found  he  wrote  a  good  hand,  and  so  had 
him  excused  from  drill,  and  appointed  to  an 
additional  clerkship  in  the  adjutant's  ofiQce. 
Burton  knew  why  that  was  done  quite  as 
well  as  Lyndon,  and  showed  his  worth  by 
continuing  in  soldierly  attention  to  duty. 
He  developed  an  erect,  military  carriage,  and 
appeared  to  such  good  advantage  in  line  at 
parade  that  Lyndon  determined  to  make  him 
a  corporal  when  the  first  vacancy  should 
occur.  That  would  be  several  months  ahead, 
and  so  he  intimated  one  day  to  Burton  what 
he  might  expect.  He  saw  at  once  that  he 
had  struck  the  right  key. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  171 

It  was  but  a  short  time  after  this  when 
Colonel  Bruff  arrived,  and  the  court  martial 
of  Burton  followed.  It  did  not  affect  Lyn- 
don's faith  in  Burton,  but  it  was  a  blow  to 
Burton's  pride,  and  so  shook  his  own  faith  in 
himself.  He  thought  it  unjust,  too,  and  that 
made  it  worse  yet.  But  he  continued  out- 
wardly, at  least,  in  the  way  Lyndon  liked. 

Then  came  the  dance.  In  the  hurry  and 
heat  of  preparation,  it  fell  to  Willard  to 
select  some  men  to  help  in  the  evening.  He 
intended  to  take  those  whose  day  duty  was 
lightest,  and  his  thought  fell  upon  Burton, 
for  one.  He  did  nothing  except  parade,  and 
could  well  afford  to  turn  to.  So  he  sum- 
moned the  sergeant  major,  and  through  him 
commanded  Burton  to  the  task. 

The  sergeant  major  thought  there  was  no 
occasion  for  Burton  to  flash  so  angrily  red 
when  the  order  was  given  him.  Others 
received  it  with  no  show  of  emotion.  But 
as  he  at  once  turned  pale  again,  and  answered 
"  all  right "  in  his  ordinary  tone,  nothing  more 
was  thought  of  it.  He  went  to  the  tent, 
ladled  out  punch,  filled  glasses  and  uncorked 
bottles  till  his  head  was  filled  with  the  scent. 
Then   he  commenced   drinking  himself,  in- 


172  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

vaded  the  hall,  made  a  fool  of  himself,  and 
slapped  an  officer's  face.  There  was  the 
unpardonable  offence. 

Miller  received  a  great  deal  of  sympathy 
from  the  officers.  They  were  one  with  him 
in  sentiment.  The  proper  thing  would  have 
been  to  knock  the  fellow  down,  drunk  or 
sober;  a  man  sober  enough  to  strike  was 
sober  enough  to  be  struck.  But  of  course 
Lyndon  came  between,  and  —  well,  Lyndon 
was  a  good  fellow ;  but  what  was  to  become 
of  discipline  if  an  immediate  example  could 
not  be  made  when  the  occasion  so  clearly 
demanded  it?  Yes,  regulations  forbade  any- 
thing of  the  kind  ;  but  cases  were  known  and 
cited  in  which  men  had  been  strung  up,  or 
bucked  and  gagged,  to  the  great  benefit  of 
the  service ;  and  nothing  had  ever  been  said 
about  it.  If  Lyndon  had  only  been  a  moment 
later  —  or  if  he  hadn't  had  command  of  the 
company  at  all.  Ah !  That  would  have  been 
better. 

"It  plainly  came  from  that  doctrine  of  his 
that  an  enlisted  man  is  as  good  as  anybody 
else.  So  he  may  be,  but  not  as  an'^' enlisted 
man ;  not  in  my  company,"  declared  one 
captain. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  173 

"Not  though  he  does  quote  Khayyam  at 
you  in  his  cups,"  said  another. 

"  And  did  you  hear  what  he  said  about 
having  a  right  to  be  there?  That's  what 
comes  of  a  company  feeding  on  china  plates 
and  sleeping  between  sheets !  We'll  have 
'em  coming  in  courting  our  daughters  next ! " 

So  the  popular  feeling  fed  upon  itself. 
Lawrence  said  nothing  to  his  chief  of  these 
matters,  and  very  surely  no  one  criticised 
Lyndon  to  his  face.  But  it  was  in  the  air, 
and  he  could  not  walk  the  length  of  the  Line 
without  feeling  a  cold  wind  blowincy  from 
each  house :  "  We  don't  agree  with  you." 
It  would  be  untrue  to  say  he  did  not  care. 
He  did  care  a  great  deal.  While  no  seeker 
after  popularity,  he  liked  being  on  good  terms 
with  all.  It  gives  the  strongest  man  a  feel- 
ing of  lonesomeness  to  be  shut  away  from 
the  world  with  a  little  parcel  of  his  fellow- 
creatures,  each  of  whom  in  his  mind  criticises 
him  unpleasantly.  The  isolation  is  inten- 
sified; the  heart-strings  are  strained  to  the 
point  of  endurance ;  he  has  no  thought  in 
commoii  with  his  fellows;  he  has  nothing  to 
talk  to  them  about;  he  is  esti-anged  from 
them ;   he  must  fall  back  upon  himself ;  and 


174  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

it  is  only  a  man  of  fertile  resources  who  can 
dwell  with  himself  and  not  weary  of  his 
society,  day  after  day  through  the  long  years 
of  his  service.  It  was  not  so  serious  as  that 
with  Lyndon.  But  he  felt  sometimes  as 
though  it  might  come  to  that. 


XI 


The  morning  after  the  dance  Lyndon  went 
into  Colonel  Bruff's  office  to  ask  about  the 
charges  against  Burton.  In  his  heart  he  had 
entertained  a  hope  that  the  Colonel  might 
prefer  them  himself,  but  the  Colonel  had  no 
idea  of  doinof  such  a  thino-. 

"In  regard  to  Burton's  case,"  said  Lyndon, 
"of  course  the  charges  will  include  drunk- 
enness and  striking  an  officer.  The  wit- 
nesses —  " 

"  There  need  be  no  lack  of  witnesses  for 
the  prosecution,  sir,"  interrupted  the  Colonel. 
"  You  may  put  me  down  for  one.  As  for  the 
defence,  I  don't  think  there  will  be  a  crowd." 

"  No,  sir ;  he  can  only  introduce  some  testi- 
mony as  to  character." 

"  Character,  indeed  !  Well,  that  won't  go 
a  great  way." 

"I  suppose  not,  sir;  but  I  shall  be  glad  to 
say  a  word  for  him." 

The  Colonel  drummed  a  moment  on  the 
175 


176  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

table  before  answering.  Tlie  drum  had  been 
of  assistance  to  him  all  through  life,  and  he 
had  a  habit  of  imitatinsf  it  when  in  thougfht. 
Then,  "  You  will  cumulate  against  him,  Cap- 
tain," said  he,  and  ended  the  interview. 

Any  hopes  that  Lyndon  may  have  enter- 
tained of  saving  Burton  were  sufficiently 
shattered  by  this.  It  meant  that  an  abstract 
should  be  made  from  the  records  of  all  the 
offences  Burton  had  been  guilty  of.  His 
court  martials,  the  sentences  imposed,  and 
even  small  matters  of  company  correction 
would  be  laid  before  the  court  sitting  on  his 
case.  It  would  be  sufficiently  damning  to 
counteract  anything  that  could  be  offered  in 
the  way  of  testimony  of  good  character.  It 
left  Burton  without  a  leg  to  stand  on.  The 
fact  of  cumulation  would  show  the  unenviable 
estimation  in  which  he  was  held  by  the  com- 
manding officer,  and  would  render  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  court  martial  all  the  more 
easy  when  they  should  come  to  casting  about 
for  a  sentence.  The  charges  upon  which  he 
was  to  be  tried  were  sufficient  to  warrant  his 
dismissal  from  the  service ;  the  cumulation 
would  only  serve  to  determine  how  long  a 
term  should  be  allotted  him  in  the  military 


IN   BLUE    UNIFORM  177 

penitentiary.  In  this  manner  was  justice 
dealt  out  lavishly  in  double  handfuls.  Pre- 
vious punishment  did  not  count ;  previous  ill' 
doincr  did.  This  should  be  the  end  of  Burton. 
Colonel  Bruff  was  actuated  by  no  personal 
motives  in  his  direction  of  the  case  ;  it  was 
of  a  piece  with  his  usual  course  of  procedure. 
But  that  was  small  comfort  to  a  man  who  had 
looked  forward  to  honor  in  the  service,  and 
was  now  about  to  suffer  the  deepest  dishonor 
that  could  be  cast  upon  him. 

Captain  Lyndon  without  delay  drew  up  the 
charges  and  specifications  against  Burton  in 
the  customary  circumlocutory  form,  and  sub- 
mitted them  through  regular  military  chan- 
nels to  the  Colonel.  That  ofhcer,  having 
examined  and  approved  them,  caused  an  en- 
dorsement to  be  placed  on  the  fold  to  the 
effect  that  he  had  investigated  the  case,  found 
it  to  be  as  stated  within,  and  recommended 
that  a  o-eneral  court  martial  be  convened  for 
the  trial  of  the  offender.  This  was  despatched 
to  department  headquarters  with  the  satisfy- 
insr  assurance  that  the  recommendation  would 
be  favorably  acted  upon ;  and  the  garrison 
forthwith  sat  down  to  await  the  orders  for 
the  general  court,  and  while  so  waiting  for- 
got the  case  entirely. 


178  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

There  are  many  duties  to  perform  in  a 
garrison  that  lias  the  honor  of  being  regi- 
mental headquarters.  That  the  officers  for- 
got Burton's  case,  or  temporarily  put  it  out 
of  mind,  did  not  argue  that  they  cared  noth- 
ing for  it.  It  did  not  weigh  heavily  on  even 
Lyndon,  and  he  had  nothing  but  the  best 
good  of  every  man  in  his  company  at  heart. 
It  was  a  situation  in  which  nothing  could  be 
gained  by  brooding  or  by  desperate  prepa- 
ration, and  so  he  dismissed  the  matter  as 
completely  as  he  might.  The  other  officers, 
almost  to  a  man,  hoped  to  see  Burton  dis- 
missed; at  least  they  said  he  ought  to  be. 
Lyndon  would  have  saved  the  man,  but  knew 
he  could  do  nothing.  But  he  had  his  whole 
company  to  look  after,  from  its  kitchen  to  its 
drill,  and  as  he  was  thoroughly  conscientious 
about  it,  he  had  little  time  in  which  to  specu- 
late about  a  single  private  lying  in  the  guard- 
house. It  was  brought  to  his  mind  every 
mornincr  when  he  went  over  the  mornino' 
report;  but  so  long  as  Burton  was  carried  on 
this  return  as  a  prisoner  of  the  guard,  every- 
thing was  quite  regular. 

The  scheduled  duties  of  the  garrison  were 
attended  to ;  reveille  succeeded  by  stable  call. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  179 

fatigue  and  mess  call,  by  guard-mounting  in 
its  turn,  by  the  drill  of  the  day  and  the  sun- 
down parade,  through  to  tattoo  and  taps. 
And  after  the  wheel  had  gone  round  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  times,  the  charges  against 
Burton  were  returned  from  department  head- 
quarters, marked  "  Approved,"  over  the  sig- 
nature of  a  brigadier  general.  By  which  it 
was  understood  that  the  brigadier  had  exam- 
ined them,  by  proxy.  And  in  the  same  mail 
came  the  order  detailing  officers  for  duty  as 
members  of  a  general  court  martial  to  con- 
sider all  cases  referred  to  it,  beginning  with 
that  of  Private  Burton.  Department  head- 
quarters had  done  its  turn ;  it  was  now  the 
opportunity  of  the  court. 

Promptly  the  court  was  assembled,  and 
Burton  brought  before  it.  The  affair  was 
oppressively  methodical.  There  was  but  one 
lawful  w^ay  for  a  court  martial  to  take  the 
heart  out  of  a  man,  and  that  way  was  so  well 
known  and  so  often  repeated  that  interest  in 
the  proceeding  had  flown.  Members  of  that 
court  may  remember  the  stuff}^  room  in  Avhich 
they  sat;  the  heat  that  lay  heavy  upon  the 
land;  the  somnolence  that  prevailed  with 
some,  the  restlessness  of  others.     There  was 


180  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

a  squeaking  beliincl  the  rotten  woodwork 
that  betrayed  the  day  hiding-place  of  bats ; 
and  some  junior  members  of  the  court  amused 
themselves  b}""  thrusting  their  swords  througli 
cracks,  thereby  temporarily  increasing  the 
squeaking,  and  occasionally  drawing  forth  on 
a  sword-tip  the  quivering,  reddened,  loath- 
some body  of  a  bat.  Burton,  standing  before 
the  court,  read  the  apathy  and  indifference, 
and  knew  it  for  a  bad  omen.  When  the 
juniors  were  at  their  sword-play,  he  felt  the 
blades  in  his  heart,  lie  knew  they  would 
sacrifice  him  as  readily  as  the  vermin  which 
they  found  more  interesting. 

The  court  routine  ran  smoothly  on.  The 
oaths  were  administered,  the  charges  read, 
the  pleading  taken,  —  guilty.  The  prosecu- 
tion i-ested  gladl}'.  Had  the  prisoner  any 
defence  to  offer?  the  judge  advocate  asked 
of  him  perfunctorily.  None,  he  said,  unless 
the  Captain  would  say  a  word  for  his  char- 
acter. The  judge  advocate  turned  inquir- 
ingly to  Lyndon,  who  nodded,  arose,  and  was 
sworn  as  a  witness. 

"  I  can  say  that  the  prisoner  is  well  known 
to  me,."  he  began,  when  the  formal  questions 
were  ended.     "lie  is  a  man  out  of  my  com- 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  181 

pany.  I  am  well  aware  that  the  mass  of 
papers  before  this  court  show  that  at  periods 
of  his  service  he  has  borne  a  bad  character. 
That  was  before  I  knew  him,  and  I  am  not 
competent  to  speak  on  it.  Since  I  have  had 
command  of  the  company,  however,  I  can 
say  no  man  has  done  better  than  he.  He 
has  been  respectful  and  obedient.  He  has 
shown  good  soldierly  qualities."  He  hes- 
itated, and  the  judge  advocate  looked  up 
from  his  note-taking  to  see  if  he  had  finished. 

"For  six  months,"  he  continued,  "he  had 
not  been  under  the  influence  of  liquor.  I 
do  not  believe  he  had  touched  a  drop  in  that 
time.  He  was  makinsr  a  strono'  effort  to  do 
well,  and  was  looking  forward  to  some  prefer- 
ment up  to  the  time  of  this  event.  And  I 
cannot  hold  him  altogether  responsible  for 
the  act  that  brought  him  before  this  court." 

"  That  last  is  hardly  relevant,"  said  the 
judge  advocate.  "  It  has  no  bearing  on  the 
case,  as  testimony.  And  if  you  Avish  to  make 
a  plea  for  the  prisoner,  that  should  follow  my 
own  statement  to  the  court  for  the  prosecu- 
tion." 

"Proceed,"  said  Lyndon.  "I  will  follow 
you." 


182  IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM 

"  I  don't  care  to  make  any  statement ;  the 
prisoner  has  pleaded  guilty.  I  will  content 
myself  with  a  reply." 

"Then  I  will  continue,"  said  Lyndon, 
quietly.  "  I  will  say  that  I  consider  the 
prisoner  a  victim  of  circumstances.  His 
status  as  a  soldier  is  well  defined.  It  should 
be  remembered  that  at  the  time  of  the  occur- 
rence he  was  not  engaged  upon  any  military 
duty.  At  that  time  he  was  employed  in 
menial  labor,  —  menial.  He  was  ordered  to 
that  labor  in  defiance  of  the  sections  of  army 
regulations  that  forbid  such  employment  of 
soldiers.  He  was  ordered  there  without  my 
knowledofe.  Had  I  known  of  it,  I  should 
assuredly  have  ordered  him  away,  and  that 
would  have  been  eminently  proper.  He  was 
sent  there  without  a  shadow  of  good  authority, 
and  in  defiance  of  law.  Had  he  refused  to 
go,  he  would  have  done  no  more  than  shoidd 
be  allowed  him.  Had  he  made  complaint,  an 
investigation  should  have  followed,  and  some 
one  should  have  been  brought  to  a  sudden 
sense  of  the  fact  that  the  enlisted  man  has 
rights,  and  that  he  is  protected  in  these  rights 
by  law.  He  is  no  servant ;  he  is  no  under- 
ling.    He  is  charged  with  responsibility,  and 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  183 

equally  with  ourselves  he  has  the  military 
honor  of  the  country  to  uphold." 

The  members  of  the  court  had  by  this  time 
cast  off  their  sleepiness  and  were  all  atten- 
tion. The  boy  lieutenants  with  new  swords 
had  ceased  jabbing  bats,  and  were  listening 
closely  to  this  unusual  exposition.  They 
thought  at  first  that  Lyndon  was  intention- 
ally scoring  Willard  for  giving  an  unauthor- 
ized order  to  Burton,  and  visions  of  a  duel 
came  in  their  minds.  It  had  not  before  been 
their  privilege  to  hear  the  private  soldier 
championed  against  all  comers.  They  were 
apprehensive  of  a  jolly  row,  and  the  older 
men  were  scowling. 

"  The  private  soldier,"  Lyndon  continued, 
"  claims  but  little  at  our  hands.  First,  there 
is  the  consideration  due  from  one  human 
being  towards  another.  This  should  not  be 
his  to  claim,  but  ours  to  freely  extend.  He 
is  one  with  us  in  occupation  and  in  aims. 
We  are  dependent  each  upon  the  other,  and 
all  upon  him,  for  success  in  our  professional 
undertakings.  We  do  not  take  him  into  our 
councils ;  that  is  not  to  be  expected.  We 
have  but  to  require  of  him  to  do  so  and  so, 
and  the  measure  of  his  fidelity  is  the  measure 


184  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

of  our  success.  At  our  best  we  do  nothing 
for  the  private  soldier.  We  too  often  look 
upon  him  as  even  less  than  a  piece  of  mech- 
anism to  be  taken  care  of.  But  he,  by  his 
diligence,  his  bravery,  his  honor,  his  readiness 
to  share  with  us  the  scars  and  give  to  us  the 
advantage,  —  he  makes  us  what  we  are. 

"  No,  he  claims  little,  and  that  little  often 
by  a  mute  demand.  There  is  but  the  one  thing 
—  justice.-  Because  we  are  hardly  to  be  held 
amenable  to  law  and  lig»ve  almost  complete 
control  over  him,  is  the  last  reason  why  we 
should  be  pitiless  in  our  dealings  with  him ; 
it  is  the  first  reason  why  we  should  put  a 
watch  upon  ourselves,  and  mete  to  him  the 
justice  due.  The  enlisted  man  is  not  a 
saint ;  he  is  a  fighter,  genei'ally  brutish,  often 
knavish,  frequently  drunk.  We  take  him, 
knowing  him  for  what  he  is,  and  we  must 
not  impose  impossible  restrictions  upon  him. 
There  are  certain  regulations  provided  for 
his  government,  whose  administration  we  are 
charged  with.  As  he  tries  to  live  up  to  them, 
we  should  give  him  credit  for  the  conscious 
effort.  That  is  but  justice  in  its  most  primi- 
tive conception.  And  if  he  fail,  still  there  is 
much  in  his  favor  by  having  striven,  and  that 


IN   BLUE    UNIFORM  185 

should  temper  our  judgment  in  his  behalf. 
For  are  we  not  all  continually  striving  toward 
some  ideal  of  our  own,  and  as  constantly  fail- 
ing in  our  endeavor?  But  we  do  not  count 
ourselves  as  failures  for  that.  We  take  credit 
to  ourselves  for  the  effort,  and  condone  our 
own  shortcomings.  Let  us  then,  as  we  have 
mercy  on  ourselves,  have  it  also  for  others." 

The  membei-s  of  the  court  appreciated  the 
rarity  of  such  w^ords  from  a  brother  officer, 
one  whom  they  respected  for  his  courage  and 
soldierliness.  They  would  have  slept  under 
the  same  sentiments  from  the  chaplain,  but 
this  was  a  novelty,  and  they  were  broad 
awake.  The  president  of  the  court  showed 
in  his  face  grave  doubt  of  the  propriety  of 
allowing  Lyndon  to  proceed,  and  yet  he  took 
no  measure  to  stop  him.  The  expressions 
used  were  revolutionary  in  their  character, 
but  he  counted  on  Lyndon's  being  in  a  help- 
less minority.  Major  Remmick  was  leaning 
forward,  his  face  between  his  hands,  intent  on 
the  utterance.  Some  looked  impressed,  some 
skeptical,  but  all  listened.  Burton  sat  behind 
Lyndon  like  a  statue.  It  was  something  new 
in  all  his  experience.  He  had  heard  the  so- 
called    "  guard-house   lawyers  "  clumsily  ad- 


186  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

vance  similar  views,  but  it  had  not  occurred 
to  him  that  they  would  be  shared  by  an 
officer.  The  heat  was  intense  ;  the  sun  stared 
in  at  the  windows,  a  blinding  glare ;  the  men 
turned  their  backs  upon  him,  and  listened  to 
Lyndon. 

"  There  is  little  more  to  say  "  —  he  spoke  in 
a  quiet,  even  voice.  "  Here  is  a  man  who  has 
climbed  by  his  own  efforts  high  up  the  en- 
listed man's  scale.  He  was  animated  by  the 
best  motives.  He  had  that  very  good  thing, 
an  exalted  ambition.  Upon  the  full  head  of 
his  endeavors  comes  a  buffet.  He  is  imposed 
upon  —  thoughtlessly,  unintentionally,  maybe, 
but  still  imposed  upon.  He  dares  make  no 
outcry.  He  mistrusts  his  own  power  of  re- 
dress ;  he  fears  the  power  of  reprisals.  He 
does  what  is  required  of  him,  and  meets  his 
old  enemy,  drink,  of  whom  he  had  been 
steering  clear.  Fate  was  against  him,  and 
the  weak  moment  came  when  he  could  not 
clearly  see  the  end  for  which  he  had  striven. 
It  is  a  sad  thing,  but  in  this  he  has  proved 
his  right  to  our  just  consideration.  For  God 
knows  it  is  in  our  weak  moments  that  we 
all  lose  all  we  have  striven  for  and  gained 
throuch  months  of  stroncf  endeavor.     This  is 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  187 

to  be  thought  of.  Your  justice  will  be  meted 
out  with  a  firm  hand;  but  shall  not  your 
mercy  also?" 

He  sat  down,  and  the  judge  advocate  rose 
to  reply.  The  president  looked  at  him  ex- 
pectantly and  nodded.  Major  Remmick  got 
up  ponderously,  tiptoed  to  Lyndon,  and  whis- 
pered in  his  ear.  At  the  same  time  he  was 
seen  to  shake  his  hand,  as  though  in  congrat- 
ulation. 

"  I  fear  that  I  cannot  make  so  eloquent  an 
appeal  as  the  counsel  for  the  prisoner  has 
done,"  the  judge  advocate  commenced.  "  I 
feel  that  I  am  unprepared  and  quite  unable 
to  cope  with  him.  My  emotions  have  been 
touched  deeply  by  his  words,  and  yet  I  fear 
that  if  we  lived  by  our  emotions,  our  duty  to 
ourselves  and  to  the  world  would  suffer.  I 
have  been  told  that  professional  hangmen 
detest  their  work  and  suffer  from  the  liveliest 
sympathy  for  the  criminals  intrusted  to  them 
for  execution ;  and  yet  people  are  hanged 
every  day,  and  the  hangmen  grow  fat  and 
raise  families. 

"  But  I  do  not  think  the  question  is  there. 
We  have  a  simple  case  in  our  hands.  There 
is  no  conflicting  testimony,  and  it  is  difficult 


188  IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM 

to  perceive  any  misunderstanding  about  it. 
In  the  first  instance,  this  man  is  charged  with 
being  drunk  in  garrison.  There  is  nothing 
said  about  his  duty  at  tlie  time,  so  the  assump- 
tion may  be  tliat  he  was  not  upon  duty  at  all. 
And  that  is  a  charitable  construction.  Had 
he  been  drunk  on  duty,  that  had  been  so 
serious  a  matter  as  to  warrant  being  explicitly 
set  forth  in  the  charges  and  specifications. 
No.  He  is  '  drunk  in  garrison.'  It  is  not 
even  known  officially  where  he  got  his  liquor. 

"  The  second  charge  is  striking  an  officer. 
That  admits  of  but  one  construction  —  the 
delivery  of  a  blow.  There  are  the  two 
offences  charged  against  this  man,  and  you 
can  make  nothing  more  or  less  of  them.  To 
both  he  has  pleaded  guilty,  and  that  may  be 
taken  as  the  guide  of  the  court  in  proceeding 
to  a  finding.  The  cumulative  evidence  does 
not  affect  the  trial  of  this  case.  It  can  be  of 
importance  only  after  a  finding  has  been 
reached,  and  then  only  in  case  of  a  finding 
adverse  to  the  prisoner.  I  am  now  ready  to 
proceed  with  the  essentials." 

"  The  court  is  closed,"  announced  the  presi- 
dent, and  Lyndon  withdrew.  The  sentinel 
at  the  door  received  the  person  of  Burton  as 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  189 

though  it  was  a  bale  of  goods,  and  marched 
it  back  to  the  guard-house. 

The  result  of  the  trial  could  not  be  publicly 
known  until  the  proceedings  had  been  written 
up,  transmitted  to  the  Colonel,  re-transmitted 
to  department  headquarters,  acted  upon  there, 
and  a  verdict  of  approval  or  of  disapproval 
by  the  brigadier  general  returned.  All  that 
would  take  time,  and  meanwhile  Burton  sank 
again  from  sight  and  mind,  save  as  he  might 
be  observed  cutting  wood  and  drawing  water, 
always  with  an  armed  sentinel  at  his  heels. 
For  a  day  or  two  Lyndon's  speech  was  quite 
generally  remarked  upon,  and  then  that,  too, 
was  dropped  from  mind.  There  were  daily 
affairs  of  more  importance. 


XII 

Mrs.  Remmick  was  one  of  the  most  amia- 
ble women  in  the  garrison.  Army  life  had 
been  good  to  her  in  many  ways,  thereby  cater- 
ing to  her  amiability.  Thus  it  had  given 
her  a  husband  who  adored  her  and  whom  she 
constantly  adored.  He  had  faulty  percep- 
tions on  many  subjects  ;  but  when  Mrs.  Rem- 
mick thought  on  the  list  of  men  she  had 
known  in  the  army,  and  on  the  percentage 
that  had  dropped  in  un mentioned  ways  from 
the  Annual  Register  and  from  all  human 
knowledge,  she  could  forgive  him  for  being 
no  better  than  he  was.  When  she  married 
the  Major  —  then  a  lieutenant  —  she  had 
made  up  her  mind  to  take  the  army  as  it 
came,  for  better  or  worse,  and  to  make  the 
most  she  conld  of  it.  So  she  had  put  up 
with  all  sorts  of  household  inconveniences 
and  domestic  makeshifts  cheerfully.  She 
had,  perhaps,  narrowed  a  trifle,  and  held  yet 
more  jealously  to  her  social  prerogatives ; 
190 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  191 

that  was  but  natural.  That  would  explain 
why  she  was  vexed  at  Millicent's  remark 
about  the  dancing  private  and  the  tipsy  offi- 
cers ;  and  yet  it  was  true  that  such  a  remark 
would  have  fallen  upon  horrified  ears  in  a 
much  wider  social  circle  than  that  of  the 
army.  However,  her  displeasure  was  but 
short-lived;  and  Millicent,  too,  had  the  ex- 
cellent sense  to  withdraw  the  sting  of  her 
words. 

Neither  Mrs.  Remmick  nor  Millicent  lost 
sight  of  the  fact  that,  however  pleasant  and 
relaxing  the  visit  might  be,  there  was  a  meas- 
ure of  work  to  be  performed.  Millicent 
meant  to  accomplish  something  in  that  new 
atmosphere  and  with  the  brilliant  material  at 
hand  that  should  electrify  her  fellow-artists 
in  New  York  upon  her  return.  It  was  essen- 
tially an  unknown  field  to  them,  and  had  never 
been  touched  upon  by  painters  imbued,  as 
Millicent  was,  Avith  the  dashing  principles  of 
the  modern  French  school.  The  American 
soldier  as  he  was  had  never  been  put  in  a 
picture.  He  appeared  sometimes  as  a  pecul- 
iarly jointed  animal  in  stiff  attitudes  that  dis- 
played the  uniform  to  advantage,  but  never 
as  a  man.     Here,  in  the  isolation  of  a  far 


192  IX    BLUE    UNIFORM 

army  post,  Millicent  saw  him  at  home.  He 
was  stripped  of  feathers  and  devoid  of  frills ; 
but  there  was  a  certain  fascinating  quality  of 
rough-and-readiness  in  his  carriage,  his  alert- 
ness, that  was  the  very  quality  of  all  others 
she  wanted.  This  was  her  opportunity.  She 
prepared  to  grasp  it,  and  Mrs.  Remmick 
encouraofed  her  in  the  undertakinoc. 

She  dove  deep  into  her  trunks,  got  out  all 
the  traps  she  had  brought  in  the  way  of 
artist's  material,  and  made  her  room  thick 
with  them.  By  degrees  the}^  fell  into  a 
pretty  disorder,  at  once  noticeable  and  grace- 
ful, that  caught  Mrs.  Remmick's  fancy.  She 
was  continually  taking  the  garrison  ladies  up 
to  view  the  "  studio,"  till  it  became  a  sanctum 
where  they  might  gather  for  an  undisturbed 
chat.  Millicent  would  in  the  meantime  touch 
up  some  half-finished  sketch,  and  allow  them 
to  admire  it.  Several  local  bits  done  by  her 
were  thumb-tacked  on  the  walls,  and  yet 
others  she  presented  to  members  of  the  morn- 
ing group.  Thus  her  reputation  as  an  artist 
w^as  magnified,  and  her  popularity  increased. 
The  photog?'apher  who  conducted  a  canvas- 
walled  gallery  in  town  heard  of  her,  and 
came  to  the  post  to  meet  in  her  person  a  con- 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  193 

genial  artistic  soul.  He  had  it  in  liis  mind 
to  propose  collaboration  on  some  landscape 
work,  but  during  the  one  call  he  ever  made 
he  did  not  see  his  Avay  clear  to  stating  it. 
The  ladies  of  the  garrison  sang  her  praises 
unceasingly.  They  harbored  no  jealousy,  and 
professed  only  admiration  for  her  art,  her 
abilit}',  and  her  charming  personality.  So 
that  Millicent's  experience  in  army  life  bade 
fair  to  be  happ3^ 

In  spite  of  the  INIajor's  vehement  protests, 
or  in  consequence  of  them,  she  made  several 
sketches  of  him, — she  was  rapid  with  the 
pencil,  —  and  flashed  them  upon  him  in 
revenge  of  his  attempts  at  teasing.  Some- 
times she  descended  to  caricatures,  but  these, 
after  the  moment's  laugh,  were  conscientiously 
destroyed;  otherwise  the  garrison  might  have 
come  to  regard  her  with  doubt.  She  made 
an  excellent  sketch  of  the  Colonel  riding 
meal-sack  on  his  fat  plug  at  battalion  drill ; 
that  she  put  away  for  future  use.  Through 
the  kind  services  of  Ljaidon  she  made  a  very 
complete  collection  of  the  details  of  soldier 
dress,  and  for  a  time  her  room  was  warlike 
with  revolvers,  long  rifle-cartridges,  saddle- 
cloths, prairie-belts,  hat  ornaments,  and  blanket- 


194  IN   BLUE    UNIFORM 

bags,  —  all  things  that  had  the  smack  of  the 
real,  venturesome  service  about  them.  She 
made  studies  of  these  to  familiarize  herself 
with  them,  and  went  about  her  work  in  a 
systematic  way  that  spoke  well  for  her  train- 
ing. She  took  a  keen  delight  in  lier  exjilora- 
tions  in  this  hitherto  unknown  field. 

There  were  out-of-door  sketches  to  be  made 
also ;  for  the  southwestern  light  is  a  peculiar 
thing,  and  sun  and  shade  possess  qualities  to 
vex  the  heart  of  any  painter  until  they  are 
mastered ;  then  they  give  much  joy.  All 
over  the  surrounding  prairie  she  tramped, 
generally  with  Lyndon  for  an  escort,  work- 
ing now  by  the  target  butts,  now  in  the 
pecan  woods  by  the  creek,  or  on  the  far  side, 
getting  the  perspective  value  of  miles  of 
wire  fence.  Mesquite,  cottonwood,  cactus, 
all  presented  points  for  stud}^  and  she  was 
indefatigable  in  her  devotion  to  the  work 
she  had  chosen. 

On  one  rare  day  she  came  upon  a  congress 
of  brilliant  butterflies  gathered  on  a  single 
tree,  in  such  numbers  as  to  weigh  down  the 
leaves  ;  all  around  other  butterflies  fluttered, 
seeking  places  on  which  to  alight,  as  tremu- 
lous  as   detached   leaves    that   a   capricious 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  195 

breeze  will  not  allow  to  reach  the  ground. 
That  was  too  much  to  paint ;  she  could  only 
admire,  and  demand  of  Lyndon  if  he  had 
ever  seen  anything  like  it  ?  No ;  he  never 
had.  Nor  had  she ;  she  could  sketch  any 
day,  but  this  was  the  chance  of  a  lifetime. 
If  Captain  Lyndon  was  willing  to  put  that 
camp-stool  in  the  shade,  they  would  stop 
there  and  look  at  it  for  liours.  Captain  Lyn- 
don was  very  happy  to  arrange  the  camp- 
stool  and  the  shawl,  and  the  sketching-um- 
brella, so  that  Miss  Harding  might  be  most 
comfortable ;  and  they  sat  down  together 
before  the  tree  like  a  determined  enemy 
besieging  a  city. 

It  was  a  matter  of  smiling  comment  in  the 
post  that  Lyndon  was  so  constantly  IVIilli- 
cent's  escort  on  these  short  sketching-trips. 
He  had  previously  been  so  deeply  engaged  in 
military  affairs,  had  been  such  a  student  of 
campaigns  even,  that  it  was  wdth  difficulty  he 
could  be  lured  awa}^  from  his  books  for  a  single 
evening.  Now,  nothing  was  of  sufficient 
importance  to  keep  him  from  escort  duty. 
He  discovered  suddenly  that  Lawrence,  now 
returned  to  the  company,  could  attend  to 
ordinary   routine    quite    as  well  as  he.     So, 


196  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

except  when  the  regulations  or  Colonel 
Bruff  required  his  presence,  he  was  quite 
likely  to  delegate  his  authority  to  Lawrence, 
and  to  go  beyond  the  bounds.  He  had  not 
previously  thought  highly  of  the  surrounding 
country ;  but  he  was  quick  to  perceive  new 
beauties  in  it  when  it  was  required  of  him  to 
indicate  them  to  a  young  lady  of  artistic 
tendencies. 

Young  Wallace  watched  the  course  of 
affairs  with  an  almost  fatherly  solicitude,  and 
wrote  long  accounts  to  the  Eastern  girl 
whose  name  he  still  refused  to  divulge  to  the 
ladies,  but  which  they  all  knew ;  for  Savage 
collected  the  mail,  as  well  as  delivered  it. 
Miller  looked  on  and  grinned  that  it  was  all 
very  pretty  for  those  who  cared  for  it,  but 
for  himself,  he  was  not  a  marrying  chap. 
Lawrence  bit  his  lip  at  it,  and  said  nothing. 
He  went  about  the  company  duties,  and  car- 
ried out  Ljnidon's  wishes  to  the  letter.  Only 
once,  when  some  one  happened  to  remember 
his  ride  on  the  day  of  the  dance  and  spoke  of 
it,  he  replied  with  a  few  words  that  silenced 
the  man  of  memory.  Lyndon  had  a  clear 
field,  and  not  a  few  of  the  officers  were  look- 
ing forward  to  buckets  of  champagne  at  an 
early  date. 


IN  BLUE    UNIFORM  197 

Millicent  and  Lyndon  sat  in  the  shade,  and 
looked  at  butterflies.  "A  peaceful  occupa- 
tion," said  Lyndon. 

Millicent  had  been  in  a  reverie,  and  started. 
"  Yes  ?  "  said  she.  "  Is  it  tiresome  ?  Such  a 
weary  tone  as  you  have  —  " 

"  Not  at  all.  I  could  stay  here  —  with  you 
—  till  the  next  war  breaks  out." 

"  What  unbounded  patience !  Or  do  you 
look  for  a  war  soon  ?  " 

"  I  never  look  for  it.  I  have  given  up  all 
hope  of  it,  and  quite  abandoned  myself  to 
garrison  routine." 

"I  have  noticed  that  you  go  round  and 
round  in  a  small  circle  of  duties,  with  no 
chance  of  getting  out  if  it,"  she  replied. 
*'  What  do  you  do  to  break  the  monotony  of 
it?  For  I  suppose  it  does  get  monotonous 
sometimes  ?  " 

"Yes,  after  a  while  it  does.  When  one 
has  been  putting  in  a  quarter  of  a  century 
engineering  two  sets  of  fours  through  com- 
pany drill,  it  begins  to  be  what  might  be 
called  monotonous."  There  was  a  sarcastic 
quality  to  his  tongue.  "What  do  we  do? 
Oh,  various  things.  There  is  always  great 
temptation  to  do  forbidden  things  —  things 
that  result  in  courts  martial  and  dismissals." 


198  IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM 

Somehow  the  thoughts  of  both  ran  back 
just  then  to  Burton. 

"  Yes,"  she  sighed.  Then  she  roused  her- 
self for  a  statement.  "  1  have  wanted  some 
such  opportunity  as  this,"  she  said,  "  to  tell 
you  —  for  it  is  your  due  —  that  some  one  ap- 
preciates what  you  did  for  that  poor  man." 

Lyndon  looked  at  her  with  hopeful  eyes. 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  say  that,"  said  he, 
with  emphasis  on  the  pronoun.  "  I  spoke  as 
I  believed,  not  with  any  hope  of  benefiting 
Burton.  The  court  martial  is  such  a  cast- 
iron  affair ;  its  judgment  is  run  in  such  a 
narrow  mould.  It  is  limited  in  general  to  a 
strict  interpretation  of  the  letter  of  the  law, 
and  there  is  no  leniency  in  that.  I  don't 
doubt  that  Burton  will  get  the  full  penalty; 
but  I  am  glad  I  spoke." 

"  And  so  am  I,"  said  she,  sincerely. 

"  That  is  why  I  am  glad,"  said  Lyndon. 

"No,  don't  say  that,  or  I  shall  not  be 
glad,"  she  replied  with  a  look  that  kept  him 
where  he  was.  She  was  sorry  now  that  she 
had  introduced  the  subject.  "  You  are  glad 
for  the  same  reason  that  I  am ;  because  you 
did  the  man  good,  and  because  it  is  of  no 
harm,  even  to  the  most  bigoted,  to  hear  the 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  199 

truth  spoken  once  in  a  while.  I  haven't  a 
doubt  but  the  court  was  prejudiced  —  the 
older  members,  I  mean  —  without  knowing  it. 
They  would  judge  the  prisoner  by  the  law, 
and  not  by  their  own  sense  of  justice.  Is  it 
not  so  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Lyndon ;  "  or,  rather,  by  what 
their  sense  of  justice  would  have  been,  had 
they  allowed  themselves  independence  of 
thought  in  the  past  years.  They  are  bound 
down  to  the  Book  of  Regulations,  and  it  is  a 
heavy  weight." 

They  were  silent  a  little,  and  suddenly 
Millicent  laughed. 

"  To  think  of  their  surprise !  It  must  have 
been  like  having  a  bombshell  exploded  among 
them.  Tell  me,  did  you  feel  like  a  bomb- 
thrower  —  an  Anarchist  ?  " 

"  I  don't  think  I  know  the  sensation,"  he 
replied  truthfuU}',  in  his  ignorance.  "  I  be- 
lieve they  more  than  half  agreed  with  me. 
But  it  will  make  no  difference  with  the 
result." 

He  arose,  wondering  why  he  had  allowed 
himself  to  be  diverted  from  the  line  of  com- 
pliment, and  more,  that  he  had  started  on. 
There  was  something   he  wanted  to  say  to 


200  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

her  that  might  tlius  have  been  led  up  to,  and 
it  was  something  he  could  not,  dared  not, 
say  abruptly.  He  dared  not  trust  himself 
with  the  utterance,  and  yet  he  felt  that  his 
glow  of  passion  was  patent  to  all  the  observ- 
ing world ;  as  indeed  it  was.  He  cast  about 
within  him  for  some  way  of  again  leading  up 
to  the  phase  of  conversation  he  longed  for, 
yet  dreaded. 

"  Do  me  a  favor  one  moment,"  exclaimed 
Millicent,  suddenly.  "  Stand  just  as  you  are  — 
the  shortest  time."  She  made  a  dive  for  the 
sketch  pad  lying  beside  her,  and  Lyndon 
unwaveringly  maintained  his  attitude. 

"  I  wonder  if  I  look  as  I  feel  ?  "  he  asked 
at  length,  half-laughingly. 

"  Oh,  precisely,"  she  "declared  hurriedly,  as 
she  drew  in  the  long  lines  of  his  figure. 
Thus  the  enigma  resolved  itself  for  him. 

"Then  if  you  know  how  that  is  — "  he 
began,  with  his  heart  in  his  throat,  when 
something  struck  him  in  the  face.  There 
had  been  a  pattering  of  small  objects  around 
for  some  time,  but  he  had  paid  no  attention 
to  it.  Now  he  looked  up  and  saw  on  the  bank 
abov^,  and  peering  over,  Wallace  and  the  two 
mischievous  little  girls  of  Dr.  Sanders. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  201 

"When  you  answer  our  rap,  we'll  come 
down,"  shouted  Wallace,  in  great  glee  at 
having  made  a  hit.  The  little  girls  laughed 
shrilly. 

"  You  villain  !  "  growled  Lyndon,  while 
Millicent  laughed  as  though  she  saw  some- 
thing ridiculous  in  it.  "  Come  down  !  How 
—  how  long  have  you  been  up  there  ?  " 

"Long  —  long  enough  to  get  tired  of  it, 
you  were  so  absorbed,"  answered  Wallace, 
simulating  weariness.  Then  with  more  vi- 
vacity he  addressed  Millicent.  "  Miss  Har- 
ding, may  I  see  the  sketch?  It  must  be 
admirable  with  such  a  model  —  I  dare  say 
nothing  of  the  artist  —  and  it  is !  The  Cap- 
tain to  the  life!     Allow  me  ?" 

He  took  a  pencil  and  quickly  wrote  be- 
neath it,  "  Lyndon's  Dilemma."  Millicent 
laughed,  but  scorned  to  shake  her  head  at 
him. 

"  Boy's  nonsense ! "  she  exclaimed  with 
great  indifference.  Then  she  tore  the  sketch 
into  small  fragments. 

"What  is  it?"  demanded  Lyndon,  with  a 
touch  of  jealousy.     "  What  is  it  all  about?  " 

"  Just  a  joke,  a  riddle  that  can't  be  an- 
swered," said  Wallace.     "I  am  only  a  boy, 


202  7.V    BLUE    UNIFORM 

and  I'm  snubbed  according-ly.  Come  along, 
little  girls,"  he  continued  to  his  small,  romp- 
ing companions.  "  You  and  I  will  lead  the 
way  out.  Want  to  ride  with  us,  Lyndon? 
We  go  out  on  our  jaunts  in  style,  and  there's 
an  ambulance  up  here  somewhere,  waiting 
for  us.  You  and  Miss  Harding  may  have  the 
back  seat." 

The  offer  was  accepted,  and  Millicent 
climbed  the  bank  nimbly,  wdth  a  small  girl  on 
either  hand.  Wallace  and  Lyndon  followed 
with  the  sketching-gear.  Only  once  did 
Wallace  attempt  levity. 

"I  say.  Captain,  you're  making  a  pack- 
horse  of  yourself  these  days." 

"  Perhaps  I  don't  understand  you,"  returned 
L3aidon,  looking  at  him  with  a  certain  con- 
centration of  glance  that  spoke  warningly  for 
him. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,"  said  Wallace.  That 
was  all. 

One  evening  not  long  after  this,  Mrs.  Rem- 
mick  gave  a  small  card  party  for  Millicent. 
Captain  Eagan's  two  daughters  were  present 
with  Miss  Burns,  and  Lyndon,  Lawrence, 
Miller,  and  Wallace  came  up  from  the  mess. 
It  was  one  of  the  small  affairs,  unimportant 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  203 

in  itself,  that  had  served  to  make  that  season 
fly  as  no  season  had  flown  in  the  memory  of 
the  regiment. 

But  cards  came  to  grief.  The  two  Misses 
Eagan  were  the  commonest  kind  of  players, 
and  Miss  Burns  giggled.  So  that  presently 
the  men  began  to  show  tricks  with  the  cards. 
Some  of  them  were  very  good  at  this.  But 
the  good  tricks  were  soon  played,  and  ex- 
plained, and  then  played  over  again  for  them 
all  to  see ;  and  then  Millicent  was  led  to 
entertain  them  with  anecdotes  of  her  artist 
life.  There  were  some  curious  bits  of  Bohemia 
that  she  chose  to  relate,  glimpses  of  a  Avay 
of  living  that  had  much  in  common  with  the 
army.  Not  in  the  freedom  of  come-and-go, 
the  civilian  indifference  and  disregard  where 
unpleasant  features  arose ;  but  in  the  merry- 
go-easy  air  of  it,  making  such  cheer  as  might 
be,  laughing  away  dulness,  caring  little  for 
a  scarcity  of  dimes,  living  with  a  singleness 
of  aim.  This  was  like,  and  yet,  in  the  set- 
ting, different.  It  had  an  air  of  novelty  to 
the  hearers,  although  now  and  then  a  familiar 
note  was  sounded.  It  was  intense,  and 
attractive,  and  bright  enough,  as  Millicent 
told  it,  to  make  other  life  seem  dingy  by 


204  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

comparison.  More  than  once  a  langh  was 
followed  by  a  sigh  that  such  delights  should 
be  in  tlie  green  earth,  and  not  come  near 
them.  They  had  toys  of  their  own,  but 
these  in  the  playliouse  of  the  stranger  were 
of  an  unaccustomed  sort.  No  wonder  that, 
like  small  children,  they  should  feel  a  rising 
of  envious  longing  at  the  sight.  Nor  did 
they  want  the  playhouse  closed ;  they  de- 
lighted in  the  new  jingle,  even  though  it 
were  not  theirs. 

"  Ah  me  !  "  sighed  Miss  Burns.  "  That 
must  be  delightful !  And  you  will  some  day 
be  going  back  to  it,  and  we  shall  be  — " 
She  stopped  to  let  painful  imagination  com- 
plete her  sentence. 

"Doing  the  old,  demnition  grind,"  said 
Miller.  "But  don't  let's  forecast.  Miss 
Harding  is  not  gone  j^et." 

Lyndon  seemed  on  the  point  of  hoping 
that  she  would  stay  a. long,  an  indefinite, 
time  yet,  when  Mrs.  Remmick  spoke. 

"  I  can't  keep  Millicent  with  me  always. 
I  wish  I  could !  But  we  must  seem  very  dull 
after  such  a  merry  round  of  life  as  hers  !  " 

"  Oh,  dear  aunt,"  cried  Millicent.  "  How 
can  you  ?     I  have  a  delightful  time  liere." 


IN    BLUE    UNIF0R2I  205 

"I  am  glad,  dear,  but  we  know  that  an 
artist  cannot  be  forever  in  the  wilds.  Some 
day  you  may  be  leaving,  and  then  we  shall 
read  in  the  papers  of  your  pictures  of  Ameri- 
can army  life.     Make  them  like,  Millicent." 

"  And  not  necessarily  that,"  suggested 
Miller.  "  We  shall  trust  to  your  gener- 
osity." 

Millicent  deprecated  any  great  expectations. 

"  At  the  most,  it  will  be  something  new," 
she  said.  "  The  other  girls  will  be  coming 
over  from  Paris,  and  doing  the  conventional 
sort  of  thing,  just  as  they  have  been  doing 
ever  since  the  beginning.  I  shall  be  glad  to 
have  this  unusual  line." 

She  gave  a  little  gurgle  of  laughter. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  said  her  aunt. 

"  I  was  thinking  of  some  of  the  girls  I  used 
to  be  with,"  Millicent  explained.  "  There  was 
one  girl  —  so  intense  I  She  worked  and 
studied  with  hardly  any  rest.  It  was  the 
world  to  her.  She  used  to  say  when  we 
teased  her  away:  '  Girls,  nothing  shall  divert 
me  from  my  art.'  And  she  called  it  'awt.' 
Indeed,  she  never  went  anywhere  at  all." 

"  There  might  have  been  another  reason 
for  that,"  suggested  Wallace. 


206  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"  No ;  it  was  simply  that  she  woukl  not, 
for  she  had  lots  of  invitations.  She  refused 
them  all,  for  her  aivt.  And  she  was  a  very 
pretty  girl,  too.  There  was  no  lack  of  young 
men  ready  to  take  her  anyivliere.  But  she 
would  have  nothing  to  do  with  them — • 
avoided  them  —  said  they  were  instruments 
of  interference  between  her  and  her  work.  I 
remember  that  I  said  to  her  one  day  as  we 
were  working  together :  '  Do  you  know  what 
I  believe?  Some  day  some  man  will  ct)me 
along,  and  you  will  be  just  the  girl  to  go  off 
like  a  flash  and  marry  him ! '  She  said,  so 
earnestly,  '  That  is  just  what  I  am  afraid  of 
myself.' " 

"  Heroic  girl !  To  avoid  the  fascinating 
creature,  man,"  said  the  Major  at  his  wife's 
ear. 

"And  she  is  married  now?"  asked  Law- 
rence, as  though  expecting  an  affirmative 
reply. 

"  No,  indeed !  She  is  working  as  hard  as 
ever.  She  even  went  so  far  as  to  get  up  a 
club,  and  ever  so  many  of  the  girls  joined, 
that  was  to  keep  them  from  marriage.  The 
girls  were  all  infected  with  her  spirit  of 
devotion   to  the  work.     She  said,    '  Girls,  if 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  207 

we  marry,  it  is  death  to  our  awt.'  She 
wanted  to  see  women  do  something  great 
and  noble  in  art,  and  not  have  the  men  carry- 
off  all  the  glory  forever.  So  this  club  was 
formed,  with  a  constitution  and  all  that,  and 
the  girls  signed  it  in  sivarms.  It  read  beauti- 
fully :  '  We  do  hereby  promise  to  devote  our 
lives  to  art,'  and  a  lot  more  that  I  don't 
remember.  She  gave  me  a  copy  of  it  framed 
as  I  was  leaving,  and  I  have  it  at  home." 
She  ran  on,  laughing,  to  the  end  of  her  story. 

"A  regular  celibate  club,"  said  Wallace, 
with  evident  disfavor. 

"•  Yes,  just  that,  indeed,"  assented  Millicent. 

"Is  the  membership  increasing  right 
along?"  asked  Miller. 

"I  don't  know.  The  girls  were  very 
staunch,  the  last  I  knew  of  it.  They  would 
hardly  accept  the  slightest  attention.  And 
as  for  marrying,  no  one  would  have  thought 
of  it." 

"Deliver  us  from  the  evils  we  know  not 
of,"  said  Wallace,  devoutly. 

"  Is  that  the  expression  of  your  sentiments, 
you  young  backslider?"  demanded  the  Major. 

"No,  not  mine.  Some  other  fellow's.  I 
picked  them  up,  but  they  don't  belong  to  me," 


208  IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM 

he  returned,  standing  up  to  his  colors.  And 
then  he  was  patted  on  the  back,  amid  much 
hiughter,  for  his  loyalty.  And  so  the  party 
broke  up. 

A  little  later  the  Major  went  forth  for  a 
taste  of  air  before  turning'  in  for  the  niofht. 
Some  one  was  walking  on  the  parade,  and  the 
Major  joined  him. 

"  Hello,  Lyndon  !  What  are  you  doing  out 
here  alone,  with  the  moon  and  all  the  stars 
inspecting  you?"  he  demanded. 

Lyndon  gave  a  little  nervous  laugh,  and 
determined  to  make  a  confidant  of  the  Major. 

"  I  was  thinking,"  said  he,  "  what  were  the 
chances  of  your  niece  —  Miss  Harding  — 
beino-  a  member  of  that  club  ?  " 

The  Major  laid  a  hand  on  his  arm.  "  My 
dear  fellow,"  said  he,  gently,  "  what  does  it 
matter?  "  And  Lyndon  grasped  at  the  straw 
with  some  comfort. 

"  Hello  out  there  !  Major  !  Lyndon  ! 
Come  up  and  have  a  new  cigar  with  me  I " 
It  was  Lawrence  speaking  from  his  porch. 

So  they  joined  him,  and  three  small  red 
dots  soon  glowed  from  the  shade  in  line- 
But  few  words  were  spoken. 


XIII 

Department  headquarters  were  remark- 
ably active  in  passing  upon  Burton's  case. 
Sometimes  cases  lingered  there  till  long 
after  the  primal  post  authorities  had  for- 
gotten them ;  but  this  one  was  attended 
to  with  such  celerity  that  Willard  whistled 
to  himself  as  he  broke  the  seals  upon  the 
package.  By  return  of  mail !  It  was  almost 
that.  He  took  the  papers  to  Colonel  Bruff, 
merely  remarking  that  Burton's  case  was 
back,  and  that  the  proceedings  were  aj)- 
proved.  The  Colonel  read  the  endorsement, 
and  then  opened  the  papers  to  the  finding 
and  sentence  of  the  court.     He  read:  — 

"  Plea,  guilty.  Finding,  guilty.  Sentence, 
to  be  dishonorably  discharged  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  forfeiting  all  pay  and 
allowances  now  due  or  that  may  become  due 
him,  and  to  be  confined  at  hard  labor,  at  such 
place  as  the  Reviewing  Authority  may  desig- 
nate, for  a  period  of  three  years."  Further 
209 


210  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

examination  showed  that  the  Reviewing 
Authority,  in  accordance  with  form,  had 
designated  the  military  penitentiary  at  P^'ort 
Leavenworth,  Kansas,  as  the  place  of  con- 
finement at  hard  labor.  Further  than  that, 
the  recommendation  to  clemency  made  by 
a  majority  of  the  court  was  disregarded, 
and  the  court  scored  for  its  suggestion. 

"It  does  not  appear,"  were  the  words  of 
the  Reviewing  Authority,  "that  there  was  any 
just  ground  for  this  recommendation.  The 
charges  and  specifications  were  explicit,  and 
no  doubt  existed  of  the  prisoner's  guilt.  In 
fact,  the  prisoner  attempted  no  defence.  The 
court  seems  in  this  particular  to  have  been 
led  astray  by  the  appeal  to  sentiment  made 
by  the  prisoner's  counsel,  to  which  no  more 
than  a  rhetorical  value  should  attach.  The 
members  of  the  court  are  reminded  that  a 
court  martial  differs  from  the  ordinary  civil 
court  in  that  it  is  not  only  a  court  of  justice, 
but  a  court  of  honor  as  well.  No  other  sen- 
timent, however  admirable  in  itself,  is  sup- 
posed to  affect  its  considerations.  The  judge 
advocate  is  to  be  complimented  on  his  con- 
duct of  the  case.     Signed,"  etc. 

The  Colonel  read,  and  nodded  approvingly. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  211 

"  That  is  quite  in  accord  with  my  judgment 
—  admonition  and  all,"  said  he.  "The  ser- 
vice has  quite  enough  to  do  in  dispensing 
justice  with  honor.  You  will  notify  Prisoner 
Burton  of  his  sentence,  Mr.  Willard,  and 
direct  the  officer  of  the  day  to  have  him 
ironed  at  once." 

There  was  nothing  else  of  importance  in 
the  morning  papers.  The  Colonel  signed 
the  consolidated  report,  and  marched  up  the 
parade  to  his  quarters,  followed  at  the  regu- 
lation six  paces  by  the  nattily  uniformed 
orderly  of  the  day.  And  if  he  carried  himself 
a  trii3e  more  stiffly  and  returned  salutes  a 
shade  more  curtly  than  usual,  it  was  because 
his  personal  opinions  had  met  with  approval 
in  high  quarters,  and  because  Justice  and 
Honor  were  supporting  him  on  either  hand. 
Poor  Mercy,  quite  downcast,  lingered  droop- 
ing in  the  rear  of  the  orderly. 

The  Colonel  felt  that  justice  had  been  done 
Burton.  He  believed  the  man  to  be  essen- 
tially bad,  and  altogether  unworthy  of  the 
status  of  an  enlisted  man.  The  sentence 
passed  upon  him  was,  in  the  Colonel's  opin- 
ion, none  too  severe ;  and  as  it  ridded  the 
regiment  of  him  it  was  all  the  more  excel- 


212  IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM 

lent.  And  the  Colonel  had  adhered  to  the 
letter  of  the  hiw  in  his  share  of  the  matter. 
He  had  neither  written  nor  spoken  a  word  to 
bias  the  action  of  the  powerful  Reviewing 
Authority  at  department  headquarters ;  it 
was  thus  that  his  honor  was  upright.  He 
had  nothing  with  which  to  reproach  himself ; 
on  the  contrary,  he  was  to  be  congratulated 
on  the  proper  termination  of  another  of  those 
troublesome  little  crises  so  constantly  arising 
in  garrison  discipline.  For  it  was  only  by 
successfully  coping  with  these  that  the  garri- 
son, the  department,  the  division, — yes,  the 
whole  army,  —  was  enabled  to  maintain  the 
necessary  dignity  and  majesty  in  time  of 
peace  to  successfully  carry  out  the  purpose 
of  its  being  in  time  of  war.  Consequentl3% 
he  perceived  with  satisfaction  that  he  had 
been  instrumental  in  maintaining  the  pro- 
fession of  arms,  to  which  he  was  devoted 
before  all  else,  on  the  exalted  plane  it  occu- 
pied in  the  eyes  of  the  world.  This  was  a 
point  on  which  he  deserved  to  be  commended ; 
and  as  he  could  hardly  explain  to  a  second 
party  the  course  of  mental  athletics  he  was 
going  through,  he  was  obliged  to  commend 
himself  ;  which  he  did. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM  213 

Under  the  sharp  stimulation  of  the  moment 
he  perceived  it  was  the  road  to  preferment  in 
high  official  circles  that  he  was  treading  — 
the  road  to  promotion.  And  promotion  was 
a  blessed  thing,  to  be  appreciated  both  for  its 
rarity  and  for  its  increase  of  pay.  He  would 
gladly  exchange  the  eagle  of  a  colonelcy  for 
the  star  of  a  brigadier,  and  he  felt  that  the 
step  was  by  no  means  an  immediate  improba- 
bility. In  accordance  with  the  prevailing 
custom,  he  would  surely  be  made  a  brigadier 
a  month  or  two  before  being  put  on  the  re- 
tired list  for  age.  That  was  the  thoughtful 
attention  accorded  its  eligible  old  soldiers  by 
a  closely  calculating  government.  But  in 
this  flush  of  triumphant  justice  he  thought  it 
likely  that  merit  would  be  appreciated,  and 
that  he  would  yet  have  sway  over  a  briga- 
dier's command  for  two  or  three  active  years 
at  least. 

The  officer  of  the  day  was  notified  by  the 
adjutant  of  the  final  approval  of  the  proceed- 
ings in  Burton's  case,  and  at  once  went  to 
the  guard-house  and  read  out  the  sentence. 
The  officer  of  the  day  happened  to  be  Miller. 
He  performed  the  duty  in  the  mechanical 
manner  peculiar  to  military  men ;  it  was  a 


214  IN    BLUE    UN  I  FOB  M 

bit  of  routine,  and  not  at  all  unusual.  So 
dispassionately  did  he  conduct  himself  that 
Burton  forgot  for  a  moment  the  drunken 
blow  that  had  reddened  his  face.  If  jNIiller 
rejoiced  at  the  sentence,  he  gave  no  sign ; 
and  if  he  regretted  it,  he  was  equally  unde- 
monstrative. 

"  By  the  Colonel's  orders  3'ou  will  be  placed 
in  irons  immediately,"  said  Miller,  in  conclu- 
sion. That  was  custom.  It  was  taken  as 
prima  facie  evidence  of  a  man's  predisposi- 
tion to  evil  that  a  court  martial  should  sen- 
tence him  to  dismissal  and  confinement  at 
Leavenworth.  The  advertisement  of  innate 
sinfulness  was  in  the  shackles.  Men  were 
not  likely  to  accept  stoically  the  penalty  set 
against  them ;  they  were  far  more  likely  to 
break  away  and  disappear  from  the  military 
authorities,  sometimes  through  the  conni- 
vance of  comrades,  and  herein  also  lay  a  rea- 
son for  the  Colonel's  order.  Leavenworth 
was  not  popular  as  a  place  of  compulsory 
residence,  nor  was  the  prison  occupation  of 
shoe-:r/c.king  a  factor  for  entertainment.  A 
man  sentenced  to  the  penitentiary  could  be 
set  down  as  a  candidate  for  desertion  at  the 
first  opportunity ;  and  there  he  was,  a  crimi- 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  215 

nal  at  large.  In  order  to  preserve  discipline 
and  to  protect  the  community  from  such  des- 
perate characters,  irons  were  resorted  to. 

A  corporal  of  the  guard  came  forth  with 
two  armed  privates,  between  whom  Burton 
was  placed ;  and  Miller  marched  the  little 
procession  at  once  to  the  blacksmith's  shop. 

The  blacksmith  was  also  an  enlisted  man, 
but  he  had  forged  the  fetters  for  many  a 
comrade.  So  when  Miller  said  to  him,  "Iron 
this  man,"  he  at  once  produced  a  stout  link 
chain  of  eighteen  inches  in  length,  with  a  bar 
at  each  end.  The  bars  were  heated,  curved 
around  Burton's  ankles,  and  there  secured. 
There  was  no  danger  of  a  man  running  away 
when  he  was  limited  to  an  eighteen-inch 
stride.  Miller  watched  the  blacksmith  at 
work  and  inspected  the  chain  to  make  sure 
there  was  no  defect  in  it.  Sometimes  a  link 
might  be  so  made  as  to  be  easily  broken  and 
escape  rendered  possible.  It  was  a  part  of 
Miller's  duty  to  provide  against  such  an 
unhappy  occurrence.  Having  done  his  duty, 
he  returned  Burton  to  the  guard-house  for 
safe  keeping,  and  reported  to  Colonel  Bruff 
that  his  orders  had  been  complied  with. 
As  the  news  got  about,  all  barracks  were 


216  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

a-thrill  with  sympathy  for  Burton.  In  quit- 
ting his  okl,  reckless  ways  he  had  not  become 
priggish.  He  was  yet  the  same  jovial,  merry 
companion  whom  the  men  had  loved,  while 
that  they  wondered  at  his  capacity  for  drink. 
They  did  not  now  concern  themselves  with 
the  law ;  they  were  moved  only  by  sympathy. 
He  had  made  hard  camps  and  marched  long 
marches  and  fought  cruel  foes  with  them,  and 
all  with  the  rugged  lack  of  gelf-consideration 
that  endears  man  to  man.  He  was  unselfish, 
always  ready  to  help  where  a  soldier's  help 
might  be  given.  And  now  the  barracks 
mourned. 

From  barracks  the  ready  compassion  ex- 
tended to  the  married  quarters.  Calico  Row 
talked  of  nothing  else  that  afternoon.  The 
soldiers'  wives  shook  their  heads  mournfully 
over  the  fate  of  so  fine  a  young  man,  and 
drank  much  tea  for  their  consolation.  But 
tea  availed  nothing  with  -the  younger  women. 
They  had  not  yet  recognized  the  fact  that 
between  Indian  campaigns  and  courts  mar- 
tial the  best  of  the  garrison  was  sure  to  go. 
It  was  theirs  to  utter  the  exclamations  of 
pity  that  the  elder  women  had  outgrown. 
No  deep  personal  interest  was  theirs.     Bur. 


IN   BLUE    UNIF0R3T  217 

ton  was  liked  by  all,  but  he  was  chary  of  his 
affection.  He  avoided  all  display  of  the  kind. 
And  if  one  of  them  was  preferred  by  him 
before  the  rest,  the  others  did  not  know  it. 
It  was  a  universal  loss  they  deplored. 

Just  at  the  moment  when  night  fell  rapidly 
and  began  revealing  her  stars,  the  sergeant 
of  the  guard  went  about  the  guard-house  on 
a  tour  of  inspection,  and  at  the  first  corner 
came  face  to  face  with  a  girl.  A  bar  of 
light  was  flung  from  a  window,  across  her, 
and  he  saw  in  a  moment  she  was  the  drum- 
major's  daughter,  Annie.  She  had  a  shawl 
flung  over  head,  and  she  clutched  it  at  her 
throat  with  one  hand,  while  the  other  she 
stretched  out  to  the  sergeant.  For  he  was 
an  old  man  in  the  regiment,  and  had  known 
her  from  a  baby. 

She  was  the  first  to  speak,  and  in  a  whis- 
per.    "  Sergeant !  " 

"  Annie  !  You  here  !  "  He  was  surprised 
to  find  her  and  hesitated  between  listening 
to  her  and  sending  her  home. 

"  Sergeant,"  she  whispered  again.  "  I 
must  see  him.     I  must." 

He  knew  whom  she  meant,  for  the  garri- 
son that  day  was  breathing  but  a  single  name, 
—  Burton. 


218  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"See  Burton?  Of  all  queer  things  !  No, 
no,  Annie;  I  can't  do  it  —  and  this  is  no  place 
for  a  young  girl  at  night.  You  ought  not  to 
be  here.  Run  home  now,  quick."  He  spoke 
to  her  kindly,  as  to  a  little,  erring  child ;  for 
many  times  had  he  dandled  her  on  his  knee 
when  she  was  smaller  and  he  was  younger. 

"  Ah,  what  harm  ?  "  she  pleaded,  coming  a 
little  nearer.  "  I  know  the  place  well,  I 
know ;  but  you'll  think  none  the  worse  of 
me  for  being  here.  Indeed,  it  is  where  I' 
should  be,  Sergeant.  Oh,  bring  him  out  here, 
if  only  for  a  moment.  They'll  be  taking  him 
away  so  soon  !  "  She  laid  a  hand  on  his  arm 
gently.  "You  know  me,  Sergeant  —  Annie 
—  and  you  won't  refuse  me  this  I'm  asking?" 
she  whispered  to  him. 

"  I  love  you  like  a  daughter,  Annie,  and 
I'd  refuse  you  nothing  in  conscience,"  he 
replied.     "  But  how  can  I  do  that?  " 

"Just  for  a  moment — one  little  minute," 
she  murmured. 

"  It  would  be  straight  against  orders.  He 
is  to  see  nobody.  I  could  not  do  a  worse 
thing  this  night  than  that." 

"  By  the  love  you  bear  your  wife,  your 
own  wife,"  she  pleaded  as  low  as  a  zephyr 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  219 

might  breathe.  "Do  not  say  'no'  to  me. 
By  the  love  — " 

He  suddenly  put  his  white-gloved  hand 
beneath  her  chin,  and  raised  her  face  into 
the  light. 

"  Are  you  married  to  him  ?  "  he  demanded. 

"I  am  promised,"  said  she,  in  sudden 
calm. 

"  'Tis  the  same,"  said  he,  dropping  his 
hands,  "  and  you  have  the  best  reason  in  the 
world  for  wanting  to  see  him  out  of  here. 
You  are  a  good  girl,  Annie,  but  I  cannot  let 
you  see  him.  I  have  promised  to  keep  him 
well,  and  I  will." 

He  turned  resolutely  away.  Annie  moaned 
a  little,  and  then  sped  after  him.  She  could 
not  give  up  so. 

"  Then  do  this  at  least  for  me,"  she  said. 
"  Give  him  this  —  and  this.  See  ?  I  give 
them  to  you  for  him ;  I  can  trust  you."  A 
little  folded  paper  lay  in  one  outstretched 
hand,  and  in  the  other  a  small  three-cornered 
file.     That  way  lay  escape  from  the  shackles. 

"  Can  you  ?  "  said  the  Sergeant.  "  But  I 
can't  trust  myself.  God  bless  you,  Annie, 
for  your  true  love,  but  do  not  come  to  me 
to-night." 


220  m    BLUE    UNIFOBM 

Then  she  became  fiercely  indignant,  and 
"upbraided  him. 

"  Are  you  a  man  at  all  ?  "  she  cried.  "  Have 
you  the  heart  of  a  man  in  your  breast?  Or 
is  it  crushed  out  of  you?  Are  you  a  mere 
duty  machine  that  cannot  love  ?     Oh-h-h  — " 

He  took  her  by  the  two  shoulders. 

"  If  you  stay  here  longer,  you  will  get  into 
trouble,"  said  he,  sternly.  "  Go  home.  To- 
night I  am  on  dut}^ ;  I  am  a  soldier,  and  noth- 
ing else.  To-morrow  I  march  off  duty,  and  my 
man's  heart  will  beat.  Go  home.  Can  you 
not  wait  ?  " 

Then  she  bowed  her  head,  and  sobbed  piti- 
fully. "  Forgive  me  !  "  she  whispered.  "  I 
love  him  so !  "  She  fled  through  the  darkness 
homeward,  as  she  was  bidden. 


XIV 

Each  morning  at  guard-mounting  the 
prisoners  were  paraded  with  the  old  guard, 
and  Burton's  shackles  were  tested  by  the  new 
officer  of  the  day,  generally  in  person.  This 
was  at  first  done  carefully,  then  perfunctoril}'-, 
and  then  left  to  a  non-commissioned  officer, 
who  made  a  report  on  their  condition.  To 
all  appearances  Burton  had  calmly  accepted 
his  sentence  as  the  inevitable,  and  would  make 
no  effort  to  avoid  it.  Had  it  been  otherwise, 
the  vicrilance  would  not  have  been  relaxed, 
and  Burton  would  not  soon  have  been  going 
out  to  the  reception  of  the  new  guard  with 
liis  shackles  so  filed  as  to  be  broken  by  the 
merest  jerk.  The  filing  was  neatly  done,  and 
was  concealed  by  rags  which  he  had  obtained 
permission  to  wear  around  his  ankles  to  pre- 
vent chafing.  The  cursory  examination  to 
which  they  were  subjected  revealed  nothing, 
and  he  was  looked  upon  as  an  unusually 
safe  and  trusty  prisoner,  waiting  patiently 
221 


222  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

for  the  day  when  he  should  be  transferred  to 
Leavenworth. 

But  this  coukl  be  only  a  mistaken  conclu- 
sion. It  was  equivalent  to  crediting  him  with 
a  continuance  of  all  the  good  resolutions  upon 
which  he  had  formed  his  conduct  during  Lyn- 
don's captaincy,  when  the  present  was  satis- 
fying and  the  future  held  something  worth 
striving  for.  He  had  nothing  now  to  gain  by 
exemplary  conduct ;  but  he  might,  indeed,  dis- 
semble, and  so  win  a  chance  of  escape.  His 
moral  fabric,  founded  upon  a  lively  hope  of 
reward,  necessarily  fell  when  that  reward 
became  less  than  air.  He  retrograded,  and 
became  at  heart  what  he  had  been,  with  the 
advantage  of  a  period  of  good  behavior  on 
which  to  base  appearances.  He  appreciated 
this  advantage  fully,  and  turned  it  to  account. 
The  officers  were  deceived  by  him,  and  it  was 
given  to  only  a  few  of  his  fellows  to  know  his 
intentions.  But  these  few  were  trusty  from 
his  jooint  of  view,  and  were  indeed  spirits 
upon  whom  he  could  rely.  They  were  much 
such  men  as  he  himself,  possessing  in  high 
degree  the  fiery  quality  that  makes  a  man 
especially  to  be  desired  in  the  field  and  within 
reach  of  danger,  and  converts  him  into  a  sad 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  223 

dog  of  the  guard-liouse  in  the  safety  and 
seclusion  of  the  garrison.  They  were  essen- 
tially fighting  men,  and  always  ready  to 
accept  chances.  By  their  kind  offices  matters 
had  been  well  arranged,  looking  to  Burton's 
escape  and  the  prevention  of  his  capture. 

It  was  not  known  when  orders  misfht  be 
received  to  forward  Burton  to  the  peniten- 
tiary. The  Colonel  looked  for  the  missive 
every  day,  but  it  did  not  come,  and  he  was 
in  the  dark  as  to  the  intentions  of  his  supe- 
riors. And  yet,  by  that  unferreted  system 
of  communication  that  enables  the  barracks 
to  persistently  forestall  the  headquarters  in 
matters  of  news,  Burton  had  been  informed 
that  a  convoy  of  prisoners  was  at  San  Antonio, 
ready  to  start,  and  that  he  would  probably 
be  ordered  out  to  join  them  en  route.  The 
order  was  likely  to  arrive  any  day,  and  its 
arrival  would  diminish  his  chances  of  escape 
to  a  minimum  ;  for  then  he  would  be  deprived 
of  all  liberty,  and  kept  a  close  cell-iDrisoner 
till  the  hour  of  departure.  It  was  time  to 
cast  aside  his  passiveness  and  to  act  boldly. 

The  opportunity  came  on  a  day  when 
Lyndon  was  on  duty.  The  men  had  been 
quiescent  for  a  week,  and  garrison-prisoners 


224  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

were  scarce.  There  were  not  enough  of  them 
to  do  the  police  work  usually  expected  of 
them ;  this  was  the  good  result  of  Colonel 
Bruff's  administration.  In  the  emergency, 
general  prisoners  went  to  labor  in  unaccus- 
tomed places.  For  three  days  the  wood-yard 
had  been  short  handed,  and  Burton  had 
swung  an  axe  there,  always  under  the  eye 
of  a  sentinel.  On  the  fourth  day  the  sentinel 
to  whom  he  was  told  off,  a  long-limbed  speci- 
men of  the  renegade  Yankee  to  whom  the 
Southwest  offers  a  refuge,  marched  him  to 
the  extreme  limit  of  the  yard  for  work.  It 
was  half  a  mile  from  the  garrison  proper, 
and  well  out  of  sight.  Great  quantities  of 
cordwood  were  piled  on  the  area  in  measured 
sections,  and  made  a  labyrinth  of  narrow 
passages  through  which  they  had  to  pass,  and 
among  which  a  man  could  easil}''  elude  pur- 
suers. From  the  end  of  the  yard  the  ground 
fell  away  in  a  clean  and  gentle  slope  to  the 
creek,  where  the  yellow  stones  showed  beneath 
the  shallow  water.  Beyond  was  a  fringe  of 
pecan  trees ;  and  beyond  that,  the  swell  and 
dell  of  the  prairie  for  miles  upon  miles  until 
the  blue  lid  of  heaven  sliut  down  upon  it. 
It  was  a  scene  to  make  broad  thoughts  and 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  225 

hopes  of  freedom  bud  and  swell  in  the  breast 
of  man.  It  was  a  familiar  view  to  Burton ; 
and  yet  he  looked  upon  it  and  his  nearer 
surroundings  with  a  little  whistle  of  satis- 
faction. 

"  You're  fond  of  scenery  ?  You  like  it, 
eh  ?  "  said  the  Yankee  sentinel,  with  a  grin. 

"  Oh,  it  is  fine,  fine ! "  said  Burton,  carelessly. 
The  man  was  not  in  his  confidence,  and 
might  not  be  entirely  reliable.  He  struck 
the  axe  into  a  log  several  times  to  convey  to 
a  distance  the  idea  of  labor.  "  It's  a  fine, 
grand  country,  old  man  ?  "  he  added,  a  trifle 
more  enthusiastically. 

The  sentinel  gazed  critically  into  the  blue 
distance. 

"I  can't  say  I  like  it  myself  —  well,  not  so 
very  much.  I  have  a  big  liking  for  moun- 
tains. The  bigger  they  are,  the  more  I  like 
them.  A  fellow  don't  feel  so  dern  conspicu- 
ous, somehow.  He  can't  see  things  so  mighty 
far  off."  He  lingered  over  his  words  as 
though  to  convey  an  idea  that  might  not  be 
spoken. 

Burton  fell  in  promptly  with  his  remark. 

"  That's  so,"  he  assented.  "  Mountains 
are   a  good  thing  if  you  don't  want  to   be 


226  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

seen;  but  then,  that's  just  the  place  they'd 
go  to  look  for  you." 

"  Might  be  so,"  drawled  the  sentinel.  "  No 
telling  where  they  won't  go  when  it  comes  to 
that.  And  yet,  there  is  times,  as  you  know 
and  as  I  know,  when  a  mountain  'ud  come  in 
right  handy." 

"  As  how  ?  "  asked  Burton. 

"  Right  off  —  well,  in  there,  somehow," 
said  the  Yankee,  pointing  across  the  creek  to 
the  wavering  blue  of  the  prairie.  "  One  lit- 
tle hill  in  there  would  help  out  the  scenery, 
to  my  idea,  and  be  a  good  thing  other  ways, 
too." 

"  There's  other  things  just  as  good,"  said 
Burton.  He  did  not  know  how  far  he  might 
trust  this  man.  He  was  not  the  one  he 
would  have  chosen  for  the  occasion.  The 
indications  were  satisfactory,  but  it  was  not 
advisable  to  run  any  chances  of  error.  He 
might  not  be  so  favorably  inclined  as  he 
seemed. 

Burton  chopped  steadily  for  two  minutes. 
It  was  well  to  let  the  sound  of  the  axe  be 
heard;  inquisitive  officers  might  thus  be 
barred  from  personal  visits  of  inspection  ;  and 
the  conversation  was   becoming   interesting. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  227 

The  time  for  words  would  soon  be  past,  and 
then  would  follow  action.  Burton  dealt 
heavy,  resounding  blows. 

Some  cowboys,  riding  along  the  opposite 
bank,  saw  him,  and  shouted  derisively  about 
"  soldiering  "  at  his  work.  Burton  stopped 
and  listened.  Two  soldiers  together,  a  sen- 
tinel and  a  prisoner,  will  do  in  a  fair  day  the 
work  of  one  half-grown  boy.  This  is  an 
accepted  basis  of  calculation,  and  for  that 
reason  the  phrase  of  the  cowboys  conveyed 
a  caustic  meaning.  Burton  scowled  after 
them. 

"  Dern  'em  !  "  said  the  sentinel. 

"  Those  fellows  never  are  'round  when 
we're  doing  soldier  work,"  said  Burton,  bit- 
terly. "  When  we're  chasing  a  few  Apaches, 
or  a  whole  tribe  is  chasing  we,  those  fellows 
are  taking  mighty  good  care  there's  no  holes 
shot  in  their  precious  hides." 

"  Dern  'em !  "  repeated  the  sentinel,  with 
emphasis. 

Burton  chopped.  The  sentinel  lit  a  pipe 
and  sat  down  comfortably.  He  offered  Bur- 
ton a  chew  off  his  plug,  which  Burton  ac- 
cepted. The  prisoner's  axe  lay  idle  beside 
the  sentinel's  rifle. 


228  IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM 

"  Did  you  ever  see  the  way  these  Mexican 
troops  do?"  asked  Burton,  socially,  as  he 
adjusted  the  quid.  "  You  ever  see  them  at 
all  ?  " 

"None  to  speak  of.     How'd  you  mean?" 

"I  used  to  see  them  up  here  at  Juarez, 
across  from  old  Fort  Bliss.  They  send  a 
prisoner  down  to  the  river  for  a  couple  of 
buckets  of  water;  a  sentinel  goes  to  watch 
the  prisoner ;  a  corporal  goes  to  watch  the 
sentinel ;  a  sergeant  of  the  guard  goes  to 
watch  the  corporal ;  and  some  sort  of  a  lieu- 
tenant goes  along  with  a  gun  and  a  knife  to 
see  that  the  whole  procession  don't  desert. 
That's  the  way  with  them.  They  don't  use 
much  water,  those  fellows." 

The  sentinel  laughed  noiselessly.  It  was 
a  good  story,  and  he  enjoyed  the  local 
application. 

"I  reckon  it's  something  the  same  way 
with  us,"  he  said,  tentatively. 

Burton  looked  at  hira  narrowl3^ 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  he  said. 

"  Oh,  nothing.  I  was  just  a-thinking  that 
when  a  fellow  gets  sick  of  soldiering  he 
ought  to  skip  out,  whether  he's  a  Greaser  or 
a  white   man.     /  would,  I   swear  I  would. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  229 

Soraeliow,  I'd  owe  it  to  myself  to  do  it.  I 
ain't  sick  of  it  3'et ;  my  little  old  thirteen 
dollars  a  month  is  coming  in  too  slick  and 
easy.  But  if  I  didn't  have  that  to  look 
forward  to  —  well,  I  know  what  I'd  do." 

The  two  men  looked  at  each  other  and 
nodded.  They  commenced  to  understand 
each  other. 

"  I'd  skip  before  I'd  go  to  Leavenworth," 
said  Burton,  in  a  low  tone. 

"  Oh,  a  dern  sight  sooner,"  rejoined  the 
sentinel. 

Burton  stood  up  straight,  and  looked  all 
about. 

"  Might  give  a  few  chops,  for  gen'rul 
effect,"  suggested  the  sentinel.  And  Burton 
cut  out  a  chip  or  two  with  a  great  noise. 

"  Don't  work  too  hard.  The  day's  young 
yet,"  said  the  vigilant  sentinel.  And  Burton 
stopped. 

"  Is  that  a  pretty  good  rifle  of  yours  ? " 
asked  Burton,  presently. 

"  Fair  —  yes,  that  is  to  say,  it  looks  all 
right,"  said  the  sentinel.  "But  I  never  have 
any  luck  with  it.  I  couldn't  qualify  at 
the  targets.  And  I'm  the  worst  sort  of  a 
skirmisher." 


230  IN   BLUE    UNIFORM 

"That  SO?" 

"  Fact.  And  I  certainly  ain't  much  confi- 
dence in  it  to-day,"  he  continued  dryly. 
"I'm  using  reloaded  ammunition,  and  that 
cartridge  in  there  ain't  got  enough  powder  — 
well,  not  enough  to  carry  to  the  crick ! 
And  my  firing  pin's  broke,  too.  No,  I  ain't 
banking  much  on  that  gun  to-day." 

He  looked  up  quizzically  as  he  finished 
speaking,  and  Burton  bent  over  him  with 
great  earnestness. 

"Do  you  know  what  I'm  going  to  do?"  he 
whispered. 

"  I  know  what  I'd  do,"  responded  the  sen- 
tinel. 

"  I'm  going  to  do  that  same,"  said  Burton. 
"Presently  you'll  see  a  couple  of  horses  come 
behind  the  pecans  over  there.  There'll  be 
a  girl  riding  one —  the  drum-major's  Annie  — 
my  Annie,  by  God !  For  we're  promised, 
do  you  know  it?  That  other  horse  is  for 
me.  —  We've  got  our  plan  all  made.  I 
shall  break  my  anklets  and  run.  You  can 
holler  'halt'  all  you  want  to,  and  fire  3'our 
gun ;  I  shan't  stop,  and  you  don't  have 
to  hit  anything.  —  Then  we  ride  away  and 
ride  away,  Annie  and  I,  and  every  man  in 


IN  BLUE    UNIFORM  231 

barracks  will  say  Godspeed !  And  it's  no 
cavalry  squad  that'll  find  us  and  bring  us 
back!  We  know  a  trail  —  but  I've  said 
enough.  —  First  you  know,  I'm  off.  So  I'll 
say  it  now,  good-by  to  you  and  all  the 
boys." 

The  Yankee  sentinel  knocked  out  his  pipe. 
He  did  not  want  to  be  found  smoking  in  the 
excitement  about  to  ensue. 

"I'm  right  sorry  to  lose  you,"  said  he, 
"and  so  are  all  the  boys.  But  I'm  a  good 
American.  I  believe  in  freedom  and  equality. 
One  man's  good's  another,  I  guess.  I  know 
/  wouldn't  do  no  penal  service  —  no,  not  for 
the  whole  United  States  army.  Well,  I 
reckon  there's  your  girl  now,  over  behind 
them  trees.  —  Hello  !  Gone  ?  I  swear,  he  took 
me  by  surprise  !  " 

One  whistle  had  pierced  through  the  wood ; 
and  with  a  twist  of  ankle  and  wrist,  Burton 
had  snapped  the  fetters  apart,  and  was  run- 
ning as  for  life  down  the  slope  to  the  creek. 
He  made  for  the  shallowest  part,  and  the 
horses  were  waiting  just  beyond. 

The  sentinel  gained  his  feet  with  a  great 
show  of  celerit3^ 

"  Stop !  "  he  cried  in  a  husky  tone.   "  Halt  I " 


232  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

he  shouted.  And  then,  in  a  yet  louder  tone, 
as  the  distance  was  increased,  "  Halt,  or  Til 
fire ! " 

Burton  made  an  irreverent  backward  move- 
ment with  his  hand  and  kept  on  his  course. 

"  I  reckon  I'd  better  fire  now,"  said  the 
sentinel,  and  bringing  his  rifle  hip  high,  he 
pulled  the  trigger.  There  was  a  small  flash, 
a  loud  report,  and  Burton  flung  up  his  hands 
and  pitched  heavily  forward  down  the  hill  to 
the  water's  edge.  Annie's  scream  rang  over 
the  water,  for  she  had  witnessed  every  move- 
ment. 

The  sentinel  looked  in  amazement  from  liis 
gun  to  the  convulsed,  writhing  body  of  the 
man  and  back  again,  unable  to  grasp  the 
whole  occurrence.  Then  he  dropped  his 
gun,  crying: 

"  My  Gowd,  I've  hit  him  !  " 

And  he  would  have  run  forward  to  where 
Burton  lay  with  his  hands  in  the  edge  of 
the  creek.  But  just  then  a  composed  voice 
said: 

"  You  are  mistaken  ;  I  fancy  that  was  my 
shot." 

He  looked  around,  terror-stricken.  Lyndon, 
pale   but   very   calm,    was   at   that   moment 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  233 

emerging   from  an   alley  of   the  wood-yard, 
with  a  smoking  revolver  in  his  hand. 

"We  will  leave  him  lying  there,"  said 
Lyndon.  "  To  the  guard-house  !  Forward, 
march ! " 


XV 

The  shot  had  been  heard  at  the  guard- 
house, and  the  sergeant  of  the  guard,  acting 
with  prompt  decision,  had  at  once  ordered  a 
coi-poral  and  a  private  of  the  guard  in  the 
direction  of  the  sound.  On  the  way  they 
were  met  by  Captain  Lyndon,  marching  the 
delinquent  sentinel  to  safe  keeping.  By  his 
order  the  private  ran  to  the  hospital  for  a 
stretcher  and  men  to  carry  it,  and  the  cor- 
poral hurried  to  the  place  where  Burton  was 
lying.  Lyndon  hastened  the  steps  of  his 
prisoner,  saw  him  behind  a  firmly  bolted  grat- 
ing, and  then  went  directly  in  search  of 
Colonel  Bruff  to  report  to  him  the  whole 
proceeding.  The  matter  of  medical  attend- 
ance for  Burton  was  beyond  his  province. 
He  gave  himself  no  uneasiness  concerning  it, 
for  he  knew  the  hospital  work  under  Dr. 
Sanders  was  as  faithfully  attended  to  as  that 
of  any  department  of  the  post.  But  out  of 
sympathy  he  was  resolved  to  go  to  the  hos- 
234 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  235 

pital  so  soon  as  his  report  should  be  received, 
and  learn  the  condition  of  the  wounded  man. 
He  might  have  preferred  to  do  that  first,  but 
military  observances  forbade. 

The  Colonel's  composure  abated  nothing 
as  he  listened  to  Lyndon's  statement  that  he 
had  been  giving  his  company  a  little  gallery 
practice  with  rifle  and  pistol,  and  had  ended 
with  his  own  revolver  full  of  service  car- 
tridges ;  then  he  had  gone  by  the  guard-house 
casually,  and  had  inquired  where  the  pris- 
oners were  working.  Learning  of  Burton's 
exposed  place,  he  had  walked  down  through 
the  wood-yard,  and  arrived  just  as  Burton 
burst  his  shackles  and  ran.  He  at  once 
divined  that  the  sentinel  was  conniving  at 
the  escape,  and  was  convinced  of  it  by  his 
listless  shouts  and  his  unaimed  shot.  He 
had  fired  at  the  same  time,  left  Burton  Ipng 
where  he  fell,  and  had  secured  the  sentinel 
as  a  prisoner  in  the  guard-house.  The  sur- 
geon had  been  notified.  Burton  had  not 
been  killed,  though  he  might  possibly  be 
dead  by  that  time.  He  was  probably  already 
at  the  hospital,  and  they  could  learn  of  his 
condition  in  a  short  time.  Captain  Lyndon 
stood  silently  at  attention,  awaiting  the 
Colonel's  pleasure. 


236  IN    BLUE    UN  IFOR  31 

The  Colonel  regretted  the  shooting.  He 
called  it  a  "regrettable  incident."  There 
was  a  general  feeling  abroad,  he  said,  of  hos- 
tility to  the  shooting  of  soldiers  except  by 
an  armed  foe.  Personally,  he  thought  a  little 
occasional  firearm  practice  by  their  officers 
\yould  have  a  salutary  effect  upon  them  ;  but 
the  military  being  subservient  to  the  civil 
power,  his  views  were  not  generally  accepted. 
There  was  a  point  involved  upon  which  the 
Regulations  were  not  sufficiently  exijlicit ; 
while  they  forbade  capital  punishment  for 
any  offence,  sentinels  were  enjoined  to  pre- 
vent the  escape  of  prisoners  by  any  and  all 
means  in  their  power.  Guns  and  cartridges 
came  within  the  limitation  of  the  word 
"  means " ;  hence,  shooting  under  such  cir- 
cumstances was  justifiable  before  the  Regu- 
lations, and  was  morally  right,  anyway. 
Captain  Lyndon  had  done  no  more  than  his 
duty,  and  the  Colonel  was  pleased  to  say  so. 

This  was  the  sole  occasion  upon  which  the 
Colonel  was  known  to  make  adverse  criticism 
of  the  Regulations. 

Lyndon  regretted  the  "incident"  more 
deeply  than  the  Colonel  appeared  to;  for  he 
had  been  an  active  participant  in  it,  and  the 


IN   BLUE    UNIFORM  237 

Colonel  was  but  a  passive  judge.  Lyndon 
was  not  in  the  habit  of  shooting  men  —  par- 
ticularly men  of  his  own  command.  He  had 
borne  himself  exceptionally  well  in  several 
Indian  campaigns ;  but  shooting  white  men 
was  different  work.  Still,  he  did  not  allow 
himself  to  be  influenced  by  any  considera- 
tions of  sentiment.  He  had  conceived  it  to 
be  his  duty  to  shoot,  and  he  had  shot.  That 
duty  did  not  seem  a  whit  the  pleasanter  or 
the  more  desirable  on  account  of  the  Colo- 
nel's commendation.  Under  the  same  cir- 
cumstances, he  would  do  the  same  again,  for 
it  was  the  only  course  open  to  him.  But  it 
was  a  course  that  brought  with  it  a  stern, 
unjdelding,  unwelcome  sense  of  satisfaction. 

Other  times,  other  manners. 

It  was  a  matter  of  surprise  to  himself  that 
he  should  have  been  called  upon  to  do  this 
thing.  Superficially  considered,  his  habit  of 
discipline  would  never  have  led  to  it.  But 
there  were  times  when  only  a  hard  hand 
would  do  at  all,  and  it  was  an  element  of  his 
nature,  perhaps  unappreciated  by  himself, 
that  enabled  him  to  rise  to  the  demands  of 
occasion.  He  looked  upon  Burton  as  a 
victim  of  harsh  judgments,  rashly  delivered ; 


238  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

but  therein  lay  no  reason  why  he  shoukl 
shrink  from  inflicting  the  final  stroke  when 
it  was  required  of  him.  His  own  ideas  of 
a  lenient,  flexible  discipline  were  not  applica- 
ble to  all  cases ;  some  men  would  require  a 
different  treatment.  His  would  fail  with 
such  as  completely  as  the  generally  accepted 
terms  had  failed  with  Burton,  though  the 
end  mio-ht  not  be  so  laden  with  disaster. 

Burton's  end  was  the  natural  one  for  such 
a  case ;  but  Lyndon  thought  it  a  curiously 
unhappy  combination  of  fates  that  compelled 
him  to  put  the  finishing  touch  to  the  bad 
work  of  others.  If  he  had  not  taken  the 
pistol  witli  him,  he  would  not  have  shot 
Burton;  and  if  he  had  not  gone  to  gallery 
practice  in  Lawrence's  place,  he  would  not 
have  had  the  pistol ;  and  if  Lawrence  had 
not  asked  to  be  excused  from  the  drill,  he 
certainly  would  not  have  gone  near  it.  Law- 
rence had  taken  advantage  of  his  being  on 
duty,  and  therefore  obliged  to  remain  in 
garrison,  to  ask  to  be  excused  so  that  he 
might  go  riding  with  Miss  Harding.  Lyndon 
gave  a  little  start  when  that  memory  recurred 
to  him,  and  thought  it  gave  an  added  touch 
of  bitterness  to  the  whole  unpleasant  "inci- 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  239 

dent."     He  was  nearly  ready  now  to  call  it 
a  catastrophe.. 

Tliey  had  looked  very  well  riding  out  of 
the  post,  —  Lawrence  on  the  clean,  white 
horse  that  had  carried  him  through  the  flood, 
and  Millicent  on  an  easy  bay  loaned  by  good- 
natured  Captain  Eagan  from  his  troop  in 
superb  disregard  of  regulations.  Eagan  might 
have  loaned  her  his  entire  troop,  boot  and 
saddle,  had  Millicent  expressed  any  desire 
for  it.  He  had  a  broad,  irreflective  way  of 
doing  grandly  generous  things  that  was  in 
keeping  with  his  good  Irish  name;  and  he 
was  as  nearly  INIillicent's  humble  slave  as 
Mrs.  Eagan  thought  proper.  But  Eagan  was 
not  alone  in  his  homage.  The  entire  garrison 
was  quite  at  her  service.  The  married  men 
did  what  they  could  ;  the  promised  men  went 
a  step  farther  and  indicated  what  might  have 
been  expected  of  them  under  more  favorable 
conditions ;  and  the  men  yet  to  be  promised 
vied  with  one  another  in  showing  her  such 
attention  as  she  would  accept.  Lyndon 
might  easily  have  persuaded  himself  that  he 
had  paid  her  a  real  attention  in  excusing 
Lawrence  from  drill ;  for  thereby  she  had 
her  ride  and  her  escort,  and  without  it  she 


240  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

must  have  clone  without  either.  At  any  rate, 
he  waved  his  cap  gaily,  and  looked  after 
them  with  the  eyes  of  self-sacrifice  as  they 
cantered  up  the  Line  and  out  through  the 
west  gate.  The  world  was  before  them, 
broad  and  free,  to  ride  upon  it  where  they 
would. 

They  went  forth,  well-wished  and  merry, 
happy  in  the  simple  exhilaration  of  the  day. 
A  pale  blue  sky  sheltered  them,  growing 
dark  as  it  came  evenly  down  to  earth  in  folds 
and  panels.  The  air  was  still.  Larks  rose 
from  the  prairie  as  their  horses'  feet  padded 
softly  and  regularly  on  the  turf.  Now  and 
then  a  road-runner,  ablaze  with  brilliant 
plumage,  cut  along  their  path,  or  with  an 
eye  single  to  premeditated  danger  in  their 
approach,  scuttled  into  the  undergrowth  with 
a  heart  palpitating  at  the  narrow  escape. 
Plover  in  comfortable  colonies  rose  fluttering 
above  them,  and  when  they  had  gone  by, 
settled  again  to  their  chosen  ground  of 
repast.  Snipe  tilted  along  in  wet  places, 
uttering  sharp  little  cries.  The  world  was 
instinct  with  life  and  vitality ;  its  creatures 
were  everywhere,  joyous  in  living.  The 
grasses  even  bore  themselves  with  a  stalwart 


IN  BLUE    UNIFORM  241 

grace,  and  the  flowers  stared  unwinkingly 
into  the  face  of  the  sun.  It  was  a  brioht 
world,  a  happy  world,  a  world  for  two  reason- 
ing, appreciative,  language-speaking  beings 
to  live  in.  And  these  two  rode  through  it, 
each  listening  within  to  a  heart-song  of  joy 
and  peace  in  this  fair  world  that  was  theirs. 

They  reined  in  to  a  walk  while  they  went 
down  the  steep  cut  that  led  to  the  creek, 
and  they  stopped  half-way  across  the  ford  to 
watch  the  water  wrinkle  about  the  horses' 
hocks.  The  horses  put  down  their  heads, 
stretching  an  immeasurable  length  of  neck, 
and  drank.  "Like  a  toboggan  slide,"  said 
Lawrence.  "  Or  an  accordeon,  drawn  out," 
said  jNIillicent.  They  looked  at  each  other, 
laughing  in  happy  appreciation  of  each 
other's  similes.  Down  below  them  the 
stream  was  creeping  fearingly  to  successive 
steps  of  a  limestone  ledge  over  which  it 
flowed,  and  taking  the  sudden  leap  from  one 
step  to  another  with  mingled  sounds  of  antic- 
ipative  dread  and  jubilant  surprise.  "  '  Here 
we  go !  Here  we  go ! '  That's  what  the 
water  is  singing,"  said  Millicent.  But  Law- 
rence said,  No ;  it  was  a  secret  the  water  was 
babbling  about  big   bass  and  catfish  in   the 


242  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

rapids  and  j)ools,  and  that  none  but  a  fisher- 
man could  understand  it.  "  Then  you  sliall 
transhite  it  for  me,"  said  Millicent,  quite  as 
well  satisfied  with  his  version  as  her  own. 

And  with  that  they  rode  up  the  other  side 
to  the  prairie  level.  Then  on  and  along 
the  creekside,  between  the  singing  brown 
water  and  the  green  growth  of  bush  and 
grass  that  swept  away  and  up  to  the  loving 
blue  sky,  far  away.  It  was  a  world  without 
spot  or  blemish  on  its  face,  doubt  or  fear  in 
its  heart.     On  and  on  they  rode. 

They  went  slowly  by  a  belt  of  pecan  trees, 
the  shadows  barring  their  path  and  flicker- 
ing in  their  faces  in  constantly  passing  pat- 
terns. The  sound  of  an  axe  came  to  them 
remotely.  "  Some  poor  prisoner  is  earning  his 
pay,"  remarked  Lawrence.  Prisoner  !  They 
both  smiled  at  the  word.  In  very  truth, 
each  of  them  was  a  jsi'isoner,  owning  the 
other  as  jailer.  It  w^as  a  happy  occupation, 
this  of  being  a  prisoner.  The  axe  bore  no  sig- 
nificance. This  unseen  man,  this  prisoner, 
became  a  flj'ing  image  in  their  happy  world. 
They  were  not  in  the  least  concerned  with 
him,  but  from  his  state  of  curtailed  liberty 
he  was  in   harmony  with   them   and  theirs. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  243 

Prisoner,  indeed !  Yes,  forever  and  a  day, 
said  their  eyes.     What  could  be  better? 

As  they  went,  a  girl  came  towards  them, 
ridinff  one  horse  and  leadincj  another.  She 
looked  at  them  with  a  guilty  color,  and  smiled 
as  she  passed  in  safety.  Lawrence  idly  rec- 
ognized the  fact  that  she  was  a  garrison  girl, 
but  his  thoughts  followed  her  no  further ;  she 
might  have  led  a  dozen  horses,  and  he  would 
hardly  have  seen  them.  She  avoided  Law- 
rence, and  passed  on  the  other  side ;  and  her 
eyes  encountered  Millicent's  with  deep,  plead- 
ing meaning,  insomuch  that  Millicent's  color 
rose  answeringly. 

"  That  girl  is  going  to  meet  her  lover,"  said 
Millicent,  confidently.  "  She  will  meet  him, 
and  they  will  ride  away  together  on  those 
horses  —  ride,  and  hardly  think  where." 

"  You  know  this?"  asked  Lawrence,  roused 
to  interest. 

"  Oh,  perfectly.  She  looked  at  me  as  she 
went  by.     I  could  read." 

Lawrence  considered  the  matter  closely. 

"  I  believe  you  are  right,"  said  he.  "  She 
smiled  after  she  passed  you,  knowingly.  I 
hope  he  won't  disappoint  her.  Yes,  they  will 
meet  —  perhaps  she  is  going  to  ask  him  to 
elope  with  her  !  " 


244  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

]\Iillicent  laughed  at  the  absurdity  of  the 
thought.     Lawrence  rode  nearer  to  her. 

"That  makes  a  difference,  doesn't  it?"  he 
said. 

"What?" 

"  Eloping." 

"Decidedly.  All  the  difference  in  the 
world." 

And  more  they  said,  but  with  their  eyes, 
too  rare  and  subtle  a  language  for  words. 
And  they  rode  through  the  Gates  of  Joy, 
not  knowing  that  the  road  led  thither.  And 
presently  they  came  to  a  broad,  placid  pool 
in  the  creek's  course,  with  tall  trees  around, 
and  green,  flat-leaved  plants  spreading  on 
its  surface.  There  they  dismounted,  and  sat 
beneath  a  tree,  conversing,  till  suddenly  both 
started,  and  looked  at  each  other  question- 
ingly. 

"  I  thought  I  heard  a  shot,"  said  Lawrence, 
doubtfully. 

"  And  I  —  I  heard  no  shot,  but  a  single 
scream,"  answered  Millicent. 

"  No  scream ;  only  a  shot,"  he  maintained. 

They  listened  fearingly  for  a  repetition  of 
the  sounds,  but  heard  nothing.  And  they 
breathed  more  easily  and  were  reassured. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  245 

"It  was  nothing  —  we  were  mistaken,"  said 
thev.  "  Oh,  it  could  have  been  nothing:  at 
alL"  So  they  composed  themselves  again  to 
their  own  affair.  Their  conversation  became 
entirely  personal,  and  Millicent  referred  as 
with  pride  to  his  fording  of  the  river,  to  his 
ride  for  a  dance  with  her,  and  to  incidents 
that  she  had  learned  of  his  army  life  from 
other  lips  than  his  own, 

"  I  almost  believe  there  is  nothing  you  can- 
not do,"  said  she  at  the  last,  adoringly. 

"  Even  to  making  you  love  me  a  little  ?  " 
he  asked,  not  in  the  least  degree  doubt- 
ingly. 

"  So  it  would  appear,"  she  replied  with  hap- 
piness, and  touching  a  ring  he  had  placed  on 
her  finger. 

They  remained  there  till  shadows  were 
at  their  shortest,  and  then  rode  slowly  back. 
People  who  saw  them  go  down  tlie  Line 
nodded  to  one  another  and  averred,  "They 
love  each  other  ;  they  are  engaged,"  and  none 
were  found  to  gainsay  it. 

That  evening,  in  familiar  privacy,  Lawrence 
told  his  captain  of  the  existing  arrangement. 
Lyndon  went  white  for  a  moment.  The  day 
had  been  one  long  trial  to  him.     Then  he  ral- 


246  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

lied  and  congratulaled  Lawrence  as  warmly 
as  that  happy  man  could  wish. 

"  And  Avhen  did  this  occur  ?  "  asked  Lyn- 
don, later,  with  an  attempted  lightness  of 
demeanor. 

"  Six  days  ago,  between  8  and  8.30  o'clock 
of  the  evening,"  replied  Lawrence,  candidly. 

Lyndon  sighed  lightly.  "I  am  glad  it 
wasn't  to-day,"  he  said  unguardedly.  "  I 
should  not  have  liked  that." 

"  Why  ?  "  demanded  Lawrence,  quickly. 

"  Oh,  nothing  —  nothing,  I  assure  you," 
Lyndon  replied  in  his  most  convincing  man- 
ner. But  it  would  not  do.  "  Only,  then, 
because  it  has  been  a  day  of  ill  luck.  But 
that  is  only  a  fancy,  anyway,  and  of  not  the 
slightest  account." 


XVI 

The  announcement  of  the  engagement 
was  not  longer  delayed,  and  it  was  received 
Ly  the  garrison  with  ready  congratulations. 
Every  one  had  a  little  private  set  of  joy-bells 
tuned  to  the  occasion,  on  which  they  rung 
endless  chimes.  Even  Lyndon  put  a  good 
face  on  the  matter,  and  joined  in.  Major 
Remmick  had  a  pretty  clear  conception 
of  the  disappointment  he  had  suffered,  but 
beyond  a  crushing,  comforting  grip  of  the 
hand,  such  as  big-hearted,  slow-tongued  men 
bestow  on  each  other  in  serious  seasons,  he 
gave  no  sign.  Even  to  Mrs.  Remmick  he 
made  no  admissions  when  that  excellent  lady 
sought  confirmation  of  her  suspicions. 

But  it  was  not  a  time  for  thinking  of  dis- 
appointments. Lawrence,  himself,  in  his  ex- 
uberance of  new  life,  overtopped  all  other 
considerations.  Wallace  greeted  him  like  a 
brother  in  the  happiness  that  is  bej'ond  under- 
standing,—  save  by  the  initiated,  —  and  the 
247 


248  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

two  formed  an  unusually  strong  friendship  on 
the  strength  of  their  common  interest.  The 
post  sutler  was  suavity  itself  those  days,  smil- 
ing in  his  prosperity ;  and  Lawrence  poured 
out  a  month's  pay  in  champagne  for  thirsty 
comrades  who  held  that  his  happiness  would 
last  all  the  longer  for  being  thoroughly  "  wet 
down  "  at  the  outset.  This  was  a  phase  of 
the  new  relationship  that  the  ladies  were 
expected  to  maintain  a  fiction  of  knowing 
nothing  about.  Of  course,  they  did  know, 
and  the  men  knew  that  they  knew.  But  it 
was  a  matter  only  to  be  hinted  at  in  glances 
of  the  eye,  or  in  intelligent  little  laughs  and 
gurgles.  This  prohibition  for  speech  gave  to 
it  the  fascination  of  wickedness,  and  had  a 
clear  financial  value  for  the  sutler.  He  did  not 
appreciate  it,  however;  he  smiled  vacantly, 
and  ordered  up  another  basket,  and  swore 
profanely  that  the  gentlemen  of  this  regi- 
ment were  better  headed  men  and  could 
punish  more  bottles  than  the  gentlemen  of 
any  other  regiment  he  ever  see  ;  and  he  had 
been  sutlering  forty  year.  This  was  in  itself 
quite  an  effective  argument  in  favor  of  con- 
tinuing the  punishment. 

The  ladies,  from  Mrs.  Colonel  Bruff  down 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  249 

to  Mrs.  Second  Lieutenant  Bates,  gathered 
around  Millicent  in  a  cooing  circle,  and  re- 
peatedlj'-  assured  her  of  the  joy  they  found 
in  her  own.  They  would  be  glad  to  welcome 
her  as  really  one  with  them,  they  said.  As 
a  visitor  at  the  post  she  had  been  able  to  form 
a  good  idea  of  army  life  ;  but  to  know  its  full 
delight  she  must  pass  within  the  doors  and 
abide  there.  Her  heart  must  be  in  the  army, 
—  indeed,  there  was  no  doubt  that  it  was 
there  already,  —  but  she  must  follow  it.  A 
delightful  fact  that  they  communicated  to 
her,  and  that  made  the  life  throughout  ro- 
mantic, was  that  army  marriages  were  love 
marriages.  This  was  the  rule.  What  but 
love,  and  the  most  pronounced  love  at  that, 
would  tempt  a  girl  to  leave  a  home  in  the 
land  where  homes  were  —  in  the  states, 
God's  land  —  and  follow  a  penniless  lieu- 
tenant into  a  barren  wilderness  to  become 
forever  a  nomad  ?  It  was  farewell  to  a  home, 
but  welcome  to  a  love  that  should  take  the 
place  of  home  and  all  things  else. 

As  the  ladies  told  her  these  things  in  low, 
convincing  tones,  their  cheeks  flushed  and 
their  eyes  brightened  in  attestation.  Expos- 
ure to  sun  and  wind  in  an  unkind  country 


250  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

made  an  early  ruin  of  the  delicate  charms  of 
their  girlhood ;  but  there  was  youthful  blood 
in  their  hearts,  still  pulsing  to  the  measure  of 
their  young  happiness.  And  many  in  glad- 
ness repeated  to  Millicent  the  lesson  Wallace 
had  learned  some  weeks  before :  "  In  the  eyes 
of  army  men,  my  dear,  army  women  never 
srrow  old."  This  was  the  shibboleth  of  their 
enduring  joy  and  peace.  The  young  women 
repeated  it  in  blind,  trusting  acceptance,  and 
the  older  ones  in  the  loyal  forgetfulness  born 
of  experience.  And  it  bore  a  great  satisfac- 
tion into  the  lieart  of  Millicent. 

They  reasoned  directly  to  the  conclusion 
that  should  love  come  to  one  in  the  guise  of 
an  army  officer,  there  was  sufficient  and  good 
reason  for  disregarding  all  other  interests  and 
absorbing  one's  self  in  that  alone.  Millicent 
was  very  glad  none  of  them  made  any  refer- 
ence to  her  art.  Truth  to  tell,  this  phase  had 
occasioned  her  no  little  uneasiness.  She  had 
feared  comment,  perhaps  from  some  unmar- 
ried but  marriageable  girls  of  the  regiment, 
as  being  temporarily  unpleasant ;  but  the  chief 
trouble  lay  within  hei-self.  This  seemed  so 
inconsistent  an  ending  to  the  career  she  had 
planned,   for   which   she   had   studied.     She 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  251 

had  never  thought  to  be  married.  She  had 
ehminated  that  from  her  plan  of  life.  Art 
was  to  have  been  the  object  of  her  devotion, 
and  excellence  in  her  own  work  her  sole 
ambition.  She  had  even  flattered  herself 
into  the  belief  that  she  was  incapable  of  love, 
and  then  it  had  come  upon  her  unaware. 
She  was  a  disappointment  to  herself  to  find 
that,  like  other  girls,  she  could  so  take  up 
with  a  Man,  to  the  u-reparable  injury  of  Art. 
It  was  humbling ;  she  perceived  there  was 
nothing  distinctive  about  her,  after  all.  This 
happily  drew  her  thoughts  from  art  to  a  de- 
lightful wondering  as  to  what  He  saw  in  her 
to  prefer  —  she  still  being  in  a  humble  frame 
of  mind.  After  all,  it  was  as  well.  Art  was 
art,  and  but  an  artificial  part  of  life,  a  manu- 
factured issue ;  but  love  was  the  whole  of  life 
—  was  life  itself ;  and  upon  that  conclusion 
she  became  content.  After  that  the  thumb- 
tacked  sketches  and  the  paint-brushes  gradu- 
'/ally  disappeared  from  her  room,  the  sketching- 
umbrella  and  camp-stool  gathered  dust  in  a 
corner,  and  a  sardonic  spider  wove  a  web 
rope  about  her  easel.  It  was  a  process  of 
tapering  off  the  old  life  and  making  it  sub- 
ordinate to  the  new. 


252  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

One  time  she  pleased  Lawrence  much  and 
flattered  his  vanity,  which  was  robust  in  those 
days,  by  showing  him  a  rear-view  sketch  of 
an  officer  on  a  white  horse  lighting  his  way 
through  a  raging  flood  of  yellow  water.  Be- 
neath it  she  had  written  :  "  The  Beginning." 
He  recognized  the  Colorado-crossing  incident, 
and  carried  off  the  sketch  in  triumph.  He  re- 
garded it  as  wonderfully  clever ;  his  imagina- 
tion was  vivid  then.  He  had  a  frame  made 
for  it  by  the  garrison  carpenter,  and  would 
sit  by  the  hour,  smoking  pipes  of  incense 
before  it;  for  it  was  a  piece  of  her  work, 
something  she  had  done,  something  of  him 
and  for  him. 

But  while  happiness  ruled  in  the  courts  of 
the  Line,  there  was  Aveeping  and  black  despair 
on  Calico  Row.  In  the  drum-major's  quar- 
ters Annie  lay,  with  fierce  rebellion  in  her 
heart. 

"  It  ain't  fair,  it  ain't  fair !  "  she  repeated, 
while  her  mother  sat  helplessly  by.  "  They've 
got  money  and  clothes  and  everything  they 
want ;  and  if  that  ain't  enough,  they've  got 
each  other.  An'  all  I  had  was  my  man,  my 
lover,  and  he's  dyin',  dyin'  in  hospital !  Shot 
comin'  to   me,  and  dyin' ;    and   I  can't   see 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  253 

him  !  They've  got  everything.  I've  got  noth- 
ing.    It  ain't  fair —  and  I  hate  'em  !  " 

Her  mother  listened  with  nodding  sympa- 
thy, and  drank  tea. 

"  Try  a  cup,  Annie,"  she  urged.  "  It'll  do 
you  good." 

Tea  for  the  crushed  heart !  Annie  turned 
away,  moaning  and  crying  in  her  deep  misery, 
for  which  the  only  solace  offered  was  tea. 

"  I  couldn't  liave  him  livin',  and  I  can't  see 
him  dyin'.     It  ain't  fair !  " 

"It'll  wear  out,"  said  her  mother,  sooth- 
ingly. "  There,  dear  heart,  don't  take  on  so. 
It'll  wear  away.  There's  many  a  good  man 
shot,  and  many  a  girl  crying,  in  the  army. 
I've  been  a  girl ;  I  know.  It'll  all  wear  away 
in  time." 

"  Time,  time  —  that  means  living  without 
him.  I  don't  want  time.  I  want  him  —  or  I 
want  to  die,"  moaned  Annie. 

Her  motlier  shook  her  head  and  emptied 
the  cup.  She  knew ;  she  had  been  a  girl  in 
the  army.  Annie  was  taking  it  hard,  but  it 
wouldn't  last  so.  In  a  garrison  where  girls 
were  scarce  and  single  men  plenty,  there 
would  be  no  lack  of  rivals  for  Burton's  place. 
Some  one  of  them  would  be  successful,  and 


254  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

Annie  would  smile  again.  She  knew ;  it  had 
been  so  in  her  own  girlhood,  and  natures  did 
not  change,  though  time  ran  never  so  fast. 
She  liked  Burton,  but  there  were  other  men. 
She  knew  that,  although  Annie  seemed  as 
yet  strangely  unconscious  of  it.  Burton  was 
djdng,  but  Annie  would  recover.  Her  sym- 
pathy was  with  Annie,  but  her  tea-dosed 
equanimity  was  undisturbed.  Heart  wounds 
heal  rapidly,  and  all  would  be  well  in  a  short 
time. 

Beyond  all  doubt.  Burton's  last  days  were 
passing.  The  hospital  steward  said  so,  and 
that  was  equivalent  to  the  verdict  of  a  jury 
of  consulting  surgeons.  A  man  could  not, 
dared  not,  get  well  once  the  hospital  steward 
had  given  him  up.  Burton  had  sent  a  mes- 
sage or  two  to  Annie,  and  the  steward  had 
delivered  them  with  the  bearing  of  an  official 
go-between  for  the  eternal  and  the  temporal. 
The  surgeon,  too,  said  nothing  hopeful.  From 
the  time  when  Burton  had  been  picked  up  and 
taken  on  a  stretcher  to  the  hospital  ward,  he 
had  sunk  steadily,  though  slowly.  With  con- 
scientious care  Dr.  Sanders  had  done  what 
lay  in  his  poM^er ;  but  Burton's  was  a  case 
for  the  grave-digger  rather  than  for  him. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  255 

Lyndon  made  a  point  of  going  to  the  hos- 
pital on  daily  visits  of  inquiry.  On  one  of 
these  occasions  he  went  into  the  ward  where 
Burton  lay  alone,  and  spoke  with  him.  This 
was  something  he  had  wished,  yet  dreaded, 
to  do.  To  his  surprise  and  gratification, 
Burton  made  it  easy  for  him. 

"It  was  a  mean  trick.  Captain,"  said  he, 
his  weak  fingers  clinging  in  Lyndon's  stronger 
grasp,  "  a  mean  trick  to  break  away  when  you 
was  ofhcer  of  the  day.  For  j^ou've  treated 
me  —  treated  somehow  diif erent  —  better  — 
from  any  officer  I  ever  saw.  You  —  seemed 
to  forget  I  was  a  private  soldier,  and  treated 
me  like  a  man.  I  was  mighty  sorry  to  make 
you  any  trouble  by  breaking  when  you  was 
on  duty  ;  but  it  came  that  way,  and  I  couldn't 
help  it.  And  I  didn't  want  to  go  to  Leaven- 
worth ;  I  didn't  deserve  to  go.  But  you 
said  all  that  in  your  speech.  I've  been  want- 
ing to  thank  you  for  that,  and  the  way  you 
used  me,  and  to  say  I  was  sorry.  I'm  glad 
to  have  the  chance." 

"Burton,  I  want  to  say  that  it  was  my 
great  misfortune  to  bring  you  to  this  bed. 
That  shot  — " 

"It's  all  right.  Captain.     Don't  you  think 


256  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

I  care  a  rap  about  it.  You  only  saved  me 
the  trouble  of  living  a  few  more  years,  up  and 
down,  drunk  and  sober.  I  know  I've  got  to 
die,  and  as  far  as  I  can  see  I'd  rather  put  in 
those  years  there  than  here.  I  ain't  very  fit, 
but  I'm  as  fit  as  I  ever  would  be.  All  the 
chaplains  this  side  of  —  of  Halifax,  wouldn't 
make  any  difference.  It  seems  a  little  rough 
on  Annie,  just  now;  I'm  sorry  for  her.  But 
I  reckon  it's  better  so.  You  did  your  duty, 
Captain,  and  I'm  glad  you  did  it.  It's  all 
right." 

"  I  sympathize  with  Annie,"  said  the  Cap- 
tain, very  low. 

"It's  all  right,  Captain,"  said  Burton 
again. 

"  Yes,  it's  all  right,"  said  Lyndon,  softly. 

Burton  reiterated  that  it  was  all  right,  and 
he  seemed  to  find  comfort  in  making  the 
assurance,  and  in  holding  by  Lyndon's  hand ; 
so  that  Lyndon  stood  by  the  cot  much  longer 
than  he  had  expected  to  —  standing  there, 
indeed,  until  Burton  fell  into  a  short  slum- 
ber, and  he  could  release  himself  from  his 
grasp  without  disturbing  him.  He  went  out 
on  tip-toe,  holding  his  sword  with  one  hand 
lest  it  should  rattle,  and  so  wake  Burton  up. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  257 

That  night,  as  he  looked  out  of  window,  he 
saw  lights  passing  in  the  hospital,  and  shad- 
ows quickly  thrown  on  lighted  spaces.  It  was 
an  unusual  stir,  and  he  went  over  to  the  sur- 
geon's little  office  to  learn  what  it  meant. 
A  hospital  orderly  rushed  out  past  him  into 
the  night,  and  i-an  up  the  Line.  Ljaidon 
heard  his  footfalls  on  the  gravel  to  the  far 
end.  Presently  he  returned,  and  Colonel 
Bruff  was  with  him.  With  a  hare  nod,  the 
commanding  officer  went  up  the  stair,  fol- 
lowed by  the  orderl^^,  and  Lyndon  was  alone 
again.  He  wondered  what  strange  event  had 
called  the  Colonel  out  at  that  hour.  Some 
case  of  emergency,  evidently.  As  he  pon- 
dered, he  heard  steps  returning  down  the 
stair,  echoing  in  the  dead  silence.  He 
turned,  and  met  Dr.  Sanders. 

"  Hello,  Lyndon,"  said  the  Doctor,  in  sur- 
prise. "  I  didn't  know  you  were  here.  I'm 
glad  you  are,  though." 

He  wiped  his  brow  with  a  handkerchief, 
although  it  was  not  a  warm  night. 

"  Yes,"  said  Lyndon.  "  I  saw  the  lights 
and  came  over.  I  didn't  know  what  they 
meant,  and  I  —  my  head  was  full  of  Burton, 
poor  fellow  —  " 


258  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

"He  won't  last  the  night  through,"  said 
the  Doctor. 

"No?" 

"No."  Then  with  an  air  of  relief  in  the 
telling  he  added : 

"He  just  sent  for  the  Colonel,  and  the 
Colonel  is  with  him  now." 

"  I  was  here  wlien  he  came,"  said  Lyndon. 
"It  is  unusual?  " 

"Very."  The  Doctor  seemed  to  want  to 
say  more,  but  to  be  unable  to  speak. 

"  I  had  a  little  talk  with  him  to-day." 

"  He  wanted  to  talk  with  the  Colonel,  too," 
replied  the  Doctor,  after  a  short  pause.  "  Not 
on  official  matters,"  he  added,  thinking  Lyn- 
don appeared  doubtful  of  the  interview. 

"  No-o,"  said  Lyndon,  thoughtfully. 

The  Doctor  leaned  towards  him  confiden- 
tially. 

"  I  suppose  I  ought  not  to  leave  a  patient 
so  near  death  as  he  is,"  he  said,  "  but  it 
was  the  Colonel's  orders.  He  motioned  me 
towards  the  door  after  the  first  word  the 
poor  fellow  spoke.  They  wanted  to  be  alone 
together ;  doctor's  of  no  use,  anyway.  I  was 
Avilling  to  go.  That  first  word  — "  The 
Doctor  stopped  again,  as  though  unable   to 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  259 

continue.  The  perspiration  stood  on  his 
face. 

"  What  was  that  word,  Doctor  ? "  asked 
Lyndon,  cahnly. 

"  Father,"  gasped  the  Doctor. 

Tlie  two  men  stood  looking  at  each  other 
across  unfathomable  depths.  It  was  the  infi- 
nitely loud  ticking  of  the  clock,  and  the 
sight  of  the  pendulum  silently  swinging  with 
the  rapidity  of  thought  through  arcs  of 
immeasurable  length,  that  brought  them  back 
to  full  consciousness.  The  swift  orderly  ran 
up  the  Line  again,  and  returned  with  Mrs. 
Bruff.  She  was  trembling  with  expectant 
fear,  and  sobbed  once  as  the  Doctor  in  deep 
sympathy  silently  led  her  up  the  stair  to  the 
ward.     He  returned  to  Lyndon  immediately. 

"  They  don't  want  me  yet,"  he  whispered. 
"Not  till  the  last  moment.  My  God,  it  is 
horrible ! " 

The  overhead  lamp  made  deep  shadows 
beneath  his  eyes,  and  his  cheeks  looked 
hollow.  He  was  terribly  shaken  by  the  sud- 
den discovery. 

"  I  pity  them  both,"  said  Lyndon,  simply. 

Then  they  sat  silent,  with  the   clock  for 


260  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

company.  They  had  no  thoughts  to  be 
clothed  in  words.  By  and  by,  a  slight 
breathing  at  the  door  aroused  them  from 
an  abstracted  state,  and  they  saw  the  orderly 
at  the  door.  He  nodded  to  the  Doctor  with 
deep  intelligence. 

"  He's  going,"  whispered  the  Doctor.  "  I 
can  do  nothing  —  only  hold  his  pnlse,  and 
say  when  he  ceases  to  breathe.  I  wish  any 
one  but  me  had  to  witness  the  despair  of 
those  two  people  upstairs  !  " 

He  turned  then,  and  went  straight  to  his 
duty ;  and  Lyndon  departed  so  that  he  should 
not  be  seen  again  that  night  by  the  father 
and  mother  of  the  man  he  had  killed. 


XVII 

The  next  day  the  garrison  went  about  its 
routine  with  an  oppressive  sense  of  unhappy- 
portent.  Men  turning  out  for  first  duty  felt 
calamity  in  the  air.  There  was  a  supernat- 
ural stillness  over  the  place ;  the  wind  was 
dead ;  the  clouds  hung  motionless ;  the  flag 
was  wound  about  its  staff  in  undisturbed 
folds.  Ordinary  footsteps  on  a  porch  echoed 
across  the  parade  as  through  an  empty  hall. 
Life  was  a  surprise  to  the  living,  and  moving 
objects  were  regarded  curiously.  Officers 
consulted  together  in  awed  groups,  while 
the  women  watched  them  from  the  piazzas 
of  quarters,  and  the  enlisted  men  from  bar- 
rack porches.  Something  of  significance  was 
abroad. 

Even  the  children  at  their  play  were 
affected  by  the  air  of  fearful,  undiscovered 
mystery.  They  went  about  with  pale  cheeks 
a,nd  wide  eyes,  looking  in  the  faces  of  their 
elders.  The  two  little  girls  of  Dr.  Sanders 
261 


262  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

wandered  hand  in  hand  up  and  down  the 
Line,  till  they  chanced  upon  Wallace.  He 
perceived  their  forlorn  condition,  and  at  once 
sat  down  on  a  convenient  railing  with  a  child 
on  either  side. 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?"  he  asked  kindly. 

"  We  don't  know,"  they  answered,  almost 
tearfully.  "  Mamma's  got  a  headache,  and 
papa's  at  the  hospital.  And  something  dread- 
ful has  happened,  that  we  don't  know  any- 
thing about." 

"  I  will  tell  you  what  it  is,"  said  he  after 
a  moment.  "Your  papa  is  at  the  hospital 
because  one  of  the  soldiers  has  died.  That  is 
something  none  of  us  know  anything  about. 
But  I  do  not  think  it  is  so  dreadful.  I 
wouldn't  mind  it  if  I  were  you." 

The  little  girls  were  somewhat  consoled  by 
his  words.  They  reflected  on  the  limited 
number  of  deaths  they  had  known,  and  on 
what  followed. 

"  Will  there  be  a  funeral  ?  "  they  asked, 
doubtingly. 

"  Yes,  I  think  I  can  promise  you  that. 
There  will  be  a  funeral,  with  the  band,  and  a 
procession,  and  a  firing  party,  and  the  fat  old 
priest  in  the  long  white  duster,  from  town. 
You  will  see  and  hear  it  all." 


IN   BLUE    UNIFOBM  263 

The  assurance  of  a  funeral  was  comforting. 
Death  was  not  so  bad  a  thing,  when  it  was 
followed  by  so  moving  a  pageant.  The  little 
girls  went  away  to  gather  playmates,  and  to 
bestow  the  rites  of  military  burial  upon  a 
discarded  doll  in  the  back  yard.  Soon  the 
sound  of  toy  drums  and  trumpets  and  of 
mournful  cries  proclaimed  that  the  mimic 
representation  of  sorrowful  state  was  satisfac- 
torily progressing. 

Colonel  Bruff  did  not  appear  at  the  office. 
His  name  was  carried  on  the  sick-report,  and 
Major  Kemmick  assumed  command  in  his 
stead.  Mrs.  Bruff  was  prostrated,  and  was 
being  attended  by  Mrs.  Remmick.  The  sur- 
geon had  his  hands  full.  It  was  a  quiet, 
whispering,  head-shaking  gathering  of  the 
regiment's  officers  that  filled  the  adjutant's 
office  that  morning  and  waited  for  develop- 
ments. No  one  seemed  to  know  definitely 
the  whole  story ;  no  one  attempted  to  make 
a  consecutive  statement  of  facts.  And  yet, 
in  a  general  way,  without  looking  to  any  one 
for  information,  it  was  accepted  that  Burton 
was  that  son  of  the  Colonel  who  had  been 
mourned  as  dead  twenty  years  before,  and 
that  in  his  last  moments  the  relationship  had 
been  avowed  and  admitted. 


264  IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM 

During  the  day,  in  the  same  unheralded, 
mysterious  way,  the  whisper  ran  from  group 
to  group  that  the  mourning  put  on  by  Mrs. 
Bruff  so  many  years  before  had  been  by  the 
Colonel's  express  command.  Tlie  son  —  a 
mad,  impetuous  boy  —  had  disgraced  them, 
and  was  thenceforth  dead  to  them.  They 
should  never  see  him,  hear  from  him,  speak 
of  him.  It  had  ever  been  the  Colonel's  way 
to  condone  no  fault,  to  exhibit  no  moving 
of  the  kindly  feelings.  What  had  the  boy 
done  ?  No  one  knew.  What  did  it  matter  ? 
Appreciating  through  experience  the  Colo- 
nel's stern  censoriousness,  they  could  afford 
to  judge  the  boy  the  more  leniently.  And 
he  had  been  a  good  soldier.  Yes,  all  could 
now  give  him  credit  for  that.  He  was  lying 
very  white  and  still,  in  the  dead-house  at  the 
hospital.  He  was  unable  to  strike  a  blow  or 
say  a  word  for  himself.  None  would  be 
so  uncharitable  as  to  speak  ill  of  him  then. 

It  was  perceived  that  the  Colonel  and  his 
wife  had  indeed  lost  sight  of  their  son  through 
the  intervening  years.  They  were  regarded 
with  great  sympathy ;  for  ]\Irs.  Bruff,  over- 
come in  the  shock  of  discover}^  and  the  re- 
laxation   after    years    of    close,    concealing 


IN   BLUE    UNIFORM  265 

habit ;  for  the  Colonel,  in  the  remorse  that 
weighed  upon  him.  For  it  was  said  that  he 
was  taking  it  hard.  The  general  expression 
throusfhout  the  Q'arrison  was  that  it  was  hard 
luck.  An  unusual  respect,  devoid  of  fear, 
was  felt  for  the  Colonel  in  his  affliction. 

It  became  known  that  Burton  would  re- 
ceive burial,  not  as  the  Colonel's  son,  but  as 
a  soldier.  Out  upon  the  prairie,  to  the  south 
of  the  post,  a  small  square  had  been  reclaimed 
from  the  creeping  cactus  growth  and  given 
over  to  the  dead  for  habitation.  It  was 
fenced  about  with  wire  to  guard  against  rov- 
ing stock ;  and  the  graves  were  made  deep  ; 
for  prairie-dogs  are  great  burrowers,  and 
coyotes  are  not  above  digging  fiendishly  in 
newly  delved  soil.  Wooden  markers,  neatly 
turned  and  painted  white,  indicated  the  heads 
of  graves.  They  bore  in  stencil  a  briefly 
comprehensive  record  of  service  and  death. 

And  on  a  day,  the  funeral  Avas  held.  The 
band  wailed  and  mourned  through  a  dead- 
march.  Two  mules  drew  an  artillery  caisson 
on  which  lay  the  coffin,  flag-draped,  with  the 
helmet  and  side  arms  of  its  occupant.  The 
firing  party  followed  with  reversed  arms,  and 
after  them  the  strength  of  the  garrison.     The 


266  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

procession  moved  at  a  snail's  pace,  to  the 
melancholy  booming  of  the  bass  drum  and 
the  intermittent  shrilling-  of  the  fifes.  One 
had  plenty  of  time  in  which  to  reflect  on  the 
solemnity  of  the  occasion  before  it  was  over. 

There  had  been  some  speculation  as  to  the 
personal  course  the  Colonel  would  pursue. 
He  had  made  no  arrangements  of  any  kind. 
But  as  the  line  was  formed  for  the  funeral  pro- 
cession, the  door  of  his  quarters  opened,  and 
he  stepped  out  in  the  full  uniform  of  his  rank. 
It  was  the  first  time  since  Burton's  death 
that  he  had  been  seen  by  the  garrison.  He 
came  forward  alone. 

As  the  band  struck  into  the  dirge,  he  took 
his  place  at  the  head  of  the  officers'  column, 
and  marched  steadil}^  with  them  to  the  grave. 
He  gave  no  trace  of  unusual  sorrow  in  the 
fashions  ordinarily  affected.  It  might  have 
been  read  in  a  certain  ashyness  of  counte- 
nance, and  in  a  firmer  settling  of  lines  around 
his  mouth ;  but  step,  bearing,  attitude,  all 
proclaimed  the  soldier  accustomed  to  a  re- 
pression of  show.  The  open  acknowledg- 
ment of  his  fault  was  in  his  presence ;  his 
expiation  of  it  was  in  his  heart. 

The  coil  of  the  procession  unwound  itself 


IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM  267 

from  the  garrison,  and  crept  slowly  over  the 
ground  to  the  grave.  The  helmet  and  side 
arms  were  quickly  removed  from  the  coffin, 
and  placed  on  the  ground.  Then  the  coffin 
was  lowered  from  sight,  while  the  officers 
and  men  grouped  themselves  unconventionally 
around.  One  side  of  the  enclosure  was  occu- 
pied b}'  the  soldiers'  wives.  The  little  girls 
of  Dr.  Sanders  were  there,  having  escaped 
the  motherly  eye.  They  hung  on  the  wire 
fence,  and  gazed  at  the  fat  old  priest,  as  he 
stood  at  the  head  of  the  grave  and  com- 
menced intoning.  They  were  disappointed, 
for  he  had  replaced  the  long  white  duster 
with  a  rust}^  black  cassock. 

So  to  the  end.  The  priest  was  choir, 
clergyman,  and  intermediary  at  the  Throne. 
A  good  man,  the  priest,  old  and  gray.  No 
easy  existence  his.  The  little  covered  wagon 
in  which  he  rode  about  the  country,  with  its 
single  mule,  was  at  a  paling.  Here  a  wed- 
ding, there  a  christening,  again  a  burial.  He 
was  in  demand  by  all  sects  and  by  those  of 
no  sect,  and  he  never  failed  to  respond.  Thus 
was  his  Catholicism  put  to  the  proof. 

Many  a  soldier  had  he  laid  away.  A  sorry 
chant,  a  prayer  of  Latin,  rusty  as  his  cassock 


268  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

and  comforting  as  the  sight  of  it.  Requiescat 
in  pa-a-ace  !  Dust  to  dust.  A  volley.  Taps. 
Good-night  to  a  dead  soldier. 

Then  back  to  the  post,  to  the  barracks, 
Avith  the  band  playing  a  lively  quickstep, 
and  the  muffles  removed  from  all  the  drums ! 
How  the  tenors  did  rattle  beneath  the  beat 
of  the  field  music !  It  was  an  alert,  stirring 
measure.  Oh,  it  is  pain  that  passes,  and  joy 
that  remains,  glossing  over  the  dead  graves 
with  turf,  enamelling  the  mounds  with  fair 
flowers.  The  living  of  this  world  are  worthy 
of  more  consideration  than  the  dead,  for  there 
are  fewer  of  them  ;  they  rank  next  in  impor- 
tance to  those  who  have  yet  to  live. 

The  Colonel  did  not  resume  command  of 
the  post.  Major  Remmick  sat  in  his  place. 
Nor  was  he  seen  but  seldom.  Once,  in  the 
sudden  gloom  after  sunset,  he  was  observed 
with  his  wife,  walking  across  the  prairie 
southerly  from  the  pos.t.  But  no  curious 
eyes  followed  them,  and  their  return  was 
unnoted. 

He  sent  one  day  a  note  to  Lyndon's . 
quarters,  and  in  return  Lyndon  went  to  con- 
fer with  him.  What  was  said  at  that  inter- 
view was  never  known ;    there  was  a  great 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  269 

deal  that  could  not  be  said.  But  after  that 
Lyndon's  company  rejoiced  in  a  return  to  the 
privileges  of  the  old-time  manner  of  discipline, 
and  Lyndon  bore  himself  with  a  modestly 
victorious  air. 

Shortly,  the  Colonel  and  Mrs.  Bruff  left 
the  post  on  a  month's  leave  of  absence.  This 
was  soon  extended  to  three  months,  and  this 
to  six.  The  officers  read  these  notices  of 
extension,  and  said  it  was  no  wonder  they 
hated  to  come  back.  It  was  thought  quite 
likely  he  would  try  to  transfer  to  some  other 
regiment.  Recent  associations  were  too  pain- 
ful. 

But  they  were  hardly  prepared  for  the 
announcement  that  followed  these,  that  Colo- 
nel Bruif  had  taken  advantage  of  the  thirty 
years'  service  law,  and  applied  for  retirement 
under  it.  He  had  looked  forward  so  aspir- 
ingly  and  hopefully  to  a  brigadier  generalship 
that  they  had  not  supposed  anything  could 
alter  his  purpose  in  that  regard.  He  would 
surely  have  waited  for  his  promotion. 

"  It  has  taken  the  heart  out  of  him,"  said 
the  officers.  "  His  ambition  was  to  retire  as 
a  brigadier.  But  this  has  aged  him.  Poor 
old  man,  —  heigho  !  .  .  .     Well,  —  he  didn't 


270  IN    BLUE    UNIFOBM 

need  the  increased  pay,  anyway;  he  had  a 
regidar  income  outside  the  service.  Let's 
see,  now,  —  whom  does  that  promote?  .  .  ." 
For  the  retired  list  is  the  rock  and  anchor 
of  the  service.  The  okl  look  forward  to  it 
for  a  fcAV  comfortable  years  on  three-quarters 
pay ;  and  the  young  figure  up  how  soon  the 
old  will  be  shelved  upon  it,  and  they  them- 
selves get  another  grade.  From  the  Military 
Academy  to  the  Retired  List — there  is  the 
procession  of  life,  from  the  army's  viewpoint. 
The  band  plays  a  dirge  as  the  old  veteran 
goes,  but  it  is  a  quickstep  that  warms  the 
hearts  of  the  juniors  who  have  seen  him  to 
the  verge  of  his  retirement.  Their  turns 
will  come  sometime  in  the  years  that  are  yet 
to  be,  —  but  in  the  meantime,  please  God,  let 
the  quickstep  play ! 


XVIII 

Without  a  spoken  admission  of  the  fact 
^by  any  one,  it  was  like  the  lifting  and  removal 
of  a  great  weight  from  the  garrison  when 
it  was  definitely  known  that  Colonel  Bruff 
would  not  return  to  the  command.  Spirits 
were  light  and  sanguine.  The  future  offered 
nothing  unusual  in  the  strict  professional  line, 
but  even  routine  became  less  depressing.  The 
prevailing  thought  was  optimistic.  For  a 
time,  at  least,  the  performance  of  duty  w^ould 
go  on  without  the  vigilance  of  a  harshly  con- 
sidering eye,  and  the  officers  were  glad;  for 
even  the  sticklers  amonsf  them  mio^ht  admit 
that  they  had  had  quite  enough  of  the  hyper- 
critical quality.  Major  Remmick  continued 
in  command,  for  he  was  the  ranking  officer 
present ;  and  under  him  there  was  sure  to  be 
a  just  and  yet  pleasant  administration.  By 
and  by  a  new  colonel  would  be  sent  them, 
but  that  event  was  too  far  away  to  cause 
immediate  apprehension.  In  calm,  consid- 
271 


272  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

ered  method  drill  succeeded  drill,  and  parade 
followed  parade,  ever  with  the  air  of  being 
something  new  to  itself,  and  of  being  sur- 
prised at  awakening  no  unusual  interest 
among  the  accustomed  spectators. 

The  Inspector  of  the  department  came  on 
his  official  tour,  and  M^as  pleased  with  all  he 
saw ;  and  that  was  everything.  He  was  not, 
given  to  submitting  "  whitewash "  reports, 
as  rumor  ran  some  of  his  associates  were, 
and  no  little  ratchet  or  pinion  of  the  post's 
mechanism  escaped  him.  His  report  to  the 
brigadier  general  at  department  headquarters 
placed  the  Old  Regiment  at  the  head  of  the 
department  in  general  efficiency ;  whereat 
there  was  great  rejoicing  among  the  rank 
and  file  and  the  commissioned  of  the  Old 
Regiment.  It  was  their  ancient  glory  to  be 
considered  efficient,  and  subsequently  to  be 
allowed  to  prove  it  in  the  field.  The  men 
kept  their  rifles  clean,  their  cartridges  oiled, 
and  one  pair  of  marching-shoes  in  good  con- 
dition. This  had  been  seen ;  they  were 
efficient.     Now  for  the  proof. 

Unfortunately  for  the  fire-eaters  there  was 
no  more  prospect  of  field  service  than  at  any 
time  in  the  two  years  immediately  preceding. 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  273 

The  Indians,  to  whom  they  looked  for  an 
occasional  frolic,  were  provokingly  sedate 
and  taciturn.  Of  foreign  foes  there  were 
none.  The  Old  Regiment  was  hotly  pre- 
pared for  an  emergency  that  could  not  be 
said  to  exist,  and  it  was  eating  its  heart  out 
at  the  ill  will  of  destiny.  Lawrence  and 
Wallace  fumed  in  company.  Not  that  they 
wanted  war,  for  that  would  mean  an  indefi- 
nite delay  of  other  plans  each  had  privately 
laid ;  but  it  gave  them  a  chance  to  say  in 
conclusion : 

"  Now  we've  had  our  inspection,  and  every- 
thing is  O.  K.,  and  there's  no  trouble  in  the 
wind,  it  would  be  a  good  time  to  put  in  for 
a  leave." 

"  Good  idea !  We  will  consider  the  motion 
carried  unanimously." 

So  the  two  matrimonial  aspirants  submitted 
applications  for  leave  of  absence  through 
the  regular  military  channels,  conscious  that 
every  one  at  the  post  would  approve  their 
action.  And  Wallace  then  retired  period- 
ically to  seclusion,  whence  he  wrote  letters 
East,  informing  a  Girl  that  he  was  on  the 
point  of  starting,  and  should  be  witli  her  by 
or  before  a  certain  date ;  which  was  the  date 


274  IN   BLUE    UNIFORM 

set  for  their  marriage.  And  Lawrence  would 
be  going  into  Major  Remmick's  quarters,  and 
pleading  with  Millicent  for  a  speedy  fulfil- 
ment of  promises. 

"  I'm  no  good  this  way ;  I'm  nothing,"  he 
would  say,  spreading  out  his  hands  desper- 
ately. "I'm  neither  free  nor  bond,  bachelor 
nor  married  man.  I'm  of  no  use  in  the  com- 
pany, and  the  men  grin  at  me  at  drill.  I 
can't  eat,  and  I've  forgotten  how  to  drink. 
I'm  losing  my  grip.  Can't  you  take  a  little 
more  pity  on  me,  and  complete  the  ruin  ? 
Don't  leave  me  in  this  unfinished  state  !  " 

"  You  poor  boy !  The  whole  garrison  is 
sorry  for  you !  Well,  since  you  are  so  anx- 
ious, I  will  tell  you.  .  .  ."  And  Lawrence 
would  listen  rapturously  to  such  details  of 
plans  and  preparations  as  she  chose  to  impart 
to  him. 

It  had  been  a  shock  to  him  to  learn  that 
they  could  not  be  married  at  the  post  and  go 
thence  on  a  wedding  trip.  He  had  dreamed 
of  a  military  wedding,  administered  by  a 
chaplain  borrowed  from  another  post,  at 
which  the  entire  regiment  should  be  present. 
When  he  proposed  this  in  all  confidence,  he 
was  staggered  by  Millicent's  prompt  refusa.1 
to  be  a  party  to  it. 


IN   BLUE    UNIFOEM  275 

"  It  is  quite  impossible,"  she  said  decidedly. 
"  You  don't  understand  ?  No?  But  it  is  so. 
I  shall  have  to  go  East.  There  are  lots  of 
things  to  do  and  to  get." 

Lawrence  did  not  understand  in  the  least ; 
but  as  Millicent  was  supported  in  her  decla- 
ration by  Mrs.  Remraick,  he  was  brought 
around  to  an  abandonment  of  his  scheme. 
And  a  little  later  he  was  led  to  believe  that 
he  himself  proposed  putting  in  an  application 
for  a  leave,  and  escorting  Millicent  and  Mrs. 
Remmick  on  their  eastward  journey.  He  re- 
membered that  there  were  many  things  he 
wanted  to  do  and  to  get  himself;  and  as  he 
had  not  been  on  leave  for  some  years,  he  really 
owed  himself  the  attention.  Besides,  when 
Millicent's  purchases  were  made,  and  she 
should  have  signified  her  willingness  to  let 
the  ceremony  proceed,  he  would  be  at  hand 
and  there  would  be  no  delay.  Quite  a  com- 
pact little  plan,  and  one  of  which  he  was 
inordinately  proud,  for  it  was  approved  by 
Millicent  and  countersigned  by  Mrs.  Rem- 
mick. He  only  waited  to  learn  that  his  leave 
application  had  been  granted  to  put  it  into 
operation. 

One  night  when  Lyndon  dropped  in  upon 


276  IN    BLUE    UNIFORM 

the  family,  they  were  in  full  glee  over  the 
plan  and  its  probable  accomplishment ;  for 
the  applications  of  both  Wallace  and  Law- 
rence had  come  back,  approved.  Nothing 
now  stood  in  the  way  of  their  going. 

"And  when  we  return  —  you  and  I,"  Law- 
rence was  saying  daringly  to  Millicent,  "  we 
will  live  in  quarters  —  a  mud-walled  kitchen 
and  a  tent.  And  how  will  you  like  that, 
Ma'am?" 

"  Excellently ! "  she  cried,  not  to  be  out- 
done. "  I  shall  ask  Mr.  Thompson  to  let  me 
have  canvas  on  tlie  walls,  and  then  I'll  deco- 
rate it  with  charcoal  sketches.  And  how  will 
you  like  that,  Sir  ?  " 

"  It  is  more  than  I  bargained  for,"  said  he, 
with  a  droll  air.     "But  it  is  an  incentive." 

"  If  we  happen  to  be  shy  of  quarters,  Law- 
rence," said  Lyndon,  "you  can  count  on  me. 
Take  mine  and  welcome." 

"  And  mine,  too,"  said  the  Major,  in  his 
humorous  vein. 

"I  couldn't  furnish  a  major's  .quarters  in  a 
year,"  laughed  Lawrence.  "  A  tent  or  a  tepee 
is  nearer  my  size.  But  tliou,  O  worthy  Cap- 
tain, wilt  fall  a  victim  to  thine  own  gener- 
osity.    If  need  be,  I  shall  take  you  at  your 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  277 

word.  It  isn't  every  captain  who  would  let 
his  first  lieutenant  rank  him  out,  now  is 
it?"  he  said  in  proud  commendation  to  the 
group. 

"  That  is  Captain  Lyndon's  principle,"  said 
Mrs.  Remmick,  nodding  at  him  reminiscently. 

Millicent  reached  Lyndon's  side  before  the 
evening  was  over,  and  spoke  to  him  with  her 
hand  on  his  arm. 

"  Don't  you  do  it  —  give  up  your  quarters, 
I  mean.  You  have  sacrificed  enough,"  said 
she,  somewhat  illogically,  but  with  an  elo- 
quent little  pressure.  The  Captain  under- 
stood. 

In  a  few  days  they  mounted  the  stage  — 
Millicent  and  Mrs.  Remmick,  Wallace  and 
Lawrence  —  and  rolled  away  in  a  dust-cloud, 
while  handkerchiefs  were  flown  from  every 
door,  and  the  officers'  caps  were  in  the  air. 

"  Two  brides  to  come  —  two  sets  of  married 
quarters  to  fix  up.  My !  Guess  I've  got 
my  hands  full,"  said  Thompson,  with  his 
mind  running  on  the  quartermaster's  slim 
resources. 

"  She's  a  fine  girl.  What  a  pity  she  throws 
herself  away  on  the  infantry,"  said  Captain 
Eagan  to  his  wife.     "  If  I'd  only  had  a  stray 


278  iJV    BLUE    UNIFORM 

lieutenant  with  my  troop,  tlie}^  wouldn't  have 
had  any  walkover  !  " 

Lyndon  and  the  Major  walked  away  arm 
in  arm. 

"  It  had  to  be  so,  I  suppose,"  said  the  Major, 
awkwardly  enough. 

"It's  all  right,"  began  Lyndon,  cheerily, 
and  then  stopped ;  for  he  was  repeating  Bur- 
ton's words.  But  he  continued  :  "  I'm  glad 
for  her  and  glad  for  him.  And  as  for  you 
and  I,  we're  just  a  pair  of  widowers." 

"  Yes,  just  so,  temporarily,"  assented  the 
Major.  "  But  out  of  it  all  you  have  some- 
thing." 

"My  company?  Oh,  I  had  that  anyway. 
I  suppose  I'll  coddle  it  now  more  than 
ever." 

"  No,  you  gained  something  ;  made  it." 

"What,  I'd  like  to  know?"  demanded 
Lyndon,  wonderingly. 

"  A  record.  This  is  straight  talk,  now. 
You  have  converted  the  regiment.  You  have 
indicated  a  higher  type  of  the  American  sol- 
dier. It  is  a  mighty  good  thing  for  a  man 
to  have  a  steady  ticker  in  his  breast ;  but  a 
good  heart  is  better." 

They  walked  on  silently.     The  bugler  came 


IN    BLUE    UNIFORM  279 

forth  by  the  reveille  gun  and  blew  a  tripping 
stave. 

"  Mess-call,"  said  Lyndon,  disengaging  his 
arm.  "  I'll  have  to  leave  you  and  look  after 
my  company  mess." 

"  Keep  it  up,"  the  Major  called  after  him  in 
pride  and  affection.  "  The  men  will  rise  up 
and  call  you  blessed;  and  that's  something, 
you  know." 

"It's  everything  —  now,"  replied  Lyndon. 


Norfajooti  53rc33 : 

J.  S.  Cushinpc  &  Co.  —  Berwick  &  Smith. 
Boston,  Mass.,  U.S.A. 


B 


RIEF  LIST  of  Books  of  Fiction  Published 
by  Charles  Scribner's  Sons,  743-745 
Broadway,  New  York. 


William  IValdorf  Astor. 

Valentino:  An  Historical  Romance.  i2mo,  $i.oo.  Sforza :  A 
Story  of  Milan.      i2mo,  $1.50. 

"  The  story  is  full  of  clear-cut  little  tableaux  of  mediaeval  Italian 
manners,  customs  and  observances.  Tine  movement  tiiroughout  is 
spirited,  the  reproduction  of  bygone  times  realistic.  Mr.  Astor  has 
written  a  romance  which  will  heighten  the  reputation  he  made  by 
'Valentino.'"— T^^^yVt'w  York  Tribune. 

Arlo  Bates. 

A  Wheel  of  Fire.     i2mo,  paper,  50  cts. ;  cloth,  $1.00. 

"  The  novel  deals  with  character  rather  than  incident,  and  is  evolved 
from  one  of  the  most  terrible  of  moral  problems  with  a  subtlety  not 
unlike  that  of  Hawthorne." — The  Critic. 

Hjalniar  H.  Boyesen. 

Falconberg.  Illustrated,  i2mo,  $1.^0.  Gunnar.  Sq.  i2mo, 
paper,  sects.;  cloth,  $i.2s.  Tales  from  Two  Hemispheres. 
Sq.  i2mo,  $1.00.  Ilka  on  the  Hill  Top,  and  Other  Stories. 
Sq.  i2mo,  $1.00.  Queen  Titania.  Sq.  i2mo,  Si. 00.  Social 
Strugglers.     i2mo,  $1.25. 

"Mr.  Boyesen's  stories  possess  a  sweetness,  a  tenderness  and  a 
drollery  that  are  fascinating,  and  yet  they  are  no  more  attractive  than  they 
are  strong." — The  Home  Journal. 

H.  C.  Biinner. 

The  Story  of  a  New  York  House;  Illustrated  by  A.  B.  Frost. 
i2mo,  Si-2=i.  The  Midge.  i2mo,  paper,  50  cts. ;  cloth,  $1.00. 
Zadoo  Pine,  and  Other  Stories.  i2mo,  paper,  50  cts. ;  cloth, 
$1.00. 

"It  is  Mr.  Bunner's  delicacy  of  touch  and  appreciation  of  what  is 
literary  art  that  give  his  writings  distinctive  quality.  Everything  Mr. 
Bunner  paints  shows  the  happy  appreciation  of  an  autlior  who  has  not 
alone  mental  discernment,  but  the  artistic  appreciation.  The  author  and 
the  artist  both  supplement  one  another  in  this  excellent  'Story  of  a  New 
York  House.'" — The  Neio  York  Times. 


2  SCRIBNER'S    BRIEF    LIST   OF    FICTION. 

Frances  Hodgson  Burnett. 

That  Lass  0'  Lowrie's.  Illustrated.  Paper,  50cts. ;  cloth,  $1.25. 
Haworth's.  Illustrated.  121110,  $1.25.  Through  One  Admin- 
istration. i2mo,  $1.50.  Louisiana.  i2mo,  $1.25.  A  Fair 
Barbarian.  12010,  paper,  5octs.;  cloth,  $1.25.  Vagabondia: 
A  Love  Story.  i2mo,  paper,  50  cts. ;  cloth,  $i.2s.  Surly  Tim, 
and  Other  Stories.  i2mo,  $1.25.  Earlier  Stories.  First  Series. 
Earlier  Stories.  Second  Series.  12010,  each,  paper,  50  cts.; 
cloth,  $1.25.  The  Pretty  Sister  of  Jose.  Illustrated  by  C.  S. 
Reinhart.      12010,  $1.00. 

Little  Lord  Fauntleroy.  Sq.  8vo,  $2.00.  Sara  Crewe.  Sq. 
8vo,  $1.00.  Little  Saint  Elizabeth,  and  Other  Stories.  12010, 
$1.50.     Illustrated  by  R.  B.  Birch. 

"  Mrs.  Burnett  discovers  gracious  secrets  in  rough  and  forbidding 
natures — the  sweetness  that  often  underlies  their  bitterness — the  soul  of 
goodness  in  things  evil.  She  seems  to  have  an  intuitive  perception  of 
character." — Richard  Henry  Stoddard. 

William  Allen  Butler. 

Domesticus.     A  Tale  of  the  Imperial  City.      i2mo,  $1.25. 

"  Under  a  veil  made  intentionally  transparent,  the  author  maintains  a 
running  fire  of  good-natured  hits  at  contemporary  social  follies." — The 
New  York  Journal  of  Commerce. 

George  W.  Cable. 

The  Grandissimes.     i2mo,   paper,   50  cts.;    cloth,   Si. 25.     Old 
Creole  Days.     i2mo,  clotli,  $1.25  ;    also  in  two  parts,   paper, 
each,  30  cts.     Dr.  Sevier.     i2mo,  paper,  50  cts.;    cloth,  $1.25. 
Bonaventure.     i2mo,  paper,  50  cts.;  $1.25. 
The  set,  4  wis.,  $5.00. 
"  There  are  few  living  American  writers  who  can  reproduce  for  us  more 
perfectly  than   Mr.    Cable  does,   in   his  best  moments,   the  speech,   the 
maoners,  the  whole  social  atmosphere  of  a  remote  time  and  a  peculiar 
people.     A  delicious  flavor  of  humor  penetrates  his  stories." 

—  The  New  York  Tribune. 

Rebecca  Harding  Davis. 

Silhouettes  of  American  Life.    12010,  paper,  sects.;  cloth,  $1.00. 

"  There  are  altogether  thirteen  stories  in  the  volume,  all  written  in  that 
direct,  forcible  style  wiiich  is  Mrs.  Davis's  distinctive  merit  as  a  producer  of 
fiction." — Boston  Beacon. 


SCRIBNER'S   BRIEF    LIST   OF    FICTION.  3 

Richard  Harding  Davis. 

Gallegher,  and  Other  Stones.     i2mo,  paper,  50  cts.  ;  cloth,  $1.00. 

The  ten  stories  comprising  this  volume  attest  the  appearance  of  a  new 
and  strong  individuality  in  the  field  of  American  fiction.  They  are  of  a 
wide  range  and  deal  with  very  varied  types  of  metropolitan  character  and 
situation  ;  but  each  proves  that  Mr.  Davis  knows  his  New  York  as  well  as 
Dickens  did  his  London. 

Edward  Eggleston. 

Roxy.     The  Circuit   Rider.     Illustrated.     Each,  i2mo,  $1.50. 

"Dr.  Eggleston's  fresh  and  vivid  portraiture  of  a  phase  of  life  and 
manners,  hitherto  almost  unrepresented  in  literature  ;  its  boldly  contrasted 
characters,  and  its  unconventional,  hearty,  religious  spirit,  took  hold  of  the 
public  imagination." — The  Ckristiati  Union, 

Erckmann-Chatrian. 

The  Conscript.  Illustrated.  Waterloo.  Illustrated.  Sequel  to  The 
Conscript.  Madame  Therese.  The  Blockade  of  Phalsburg. 
Illustrated.  The  Invasion  of  France  in  1814.  Illustrated.  A 
Miller's  Story  of  the  War.     Illustrated. 

T/ie  National  Novels,  each,  %i.2^  ;  the  sets,  6  vol.,  %7-jo. 

Friend  Fritz.     lamo,  paper,  50  cts.;  cloth,  Si. 25. 

Eugene  Field. 

A  Little  Book  of  Profitable  Tales.     i6mo,  $1.25. 

"  This  pretty  little  volume  promises  to  perpetuate  examples  of  a  wit, 
humor,  and  pathos  quaint  and  rare  in  their  kind." — New  York   Tribune. 

Harold  Frederic. 

Seth's  Brother's  Wife.  i2mo,  $1.2^.  The  Lawton  Girl.  i2mo, 
$1.25  ;  paper,  50  cts.    In  the  Valley.    Illustrated.     i2mo,  $1.50. 

"  It  is  almost  reasonable  to  assert  that  there  has  not  been  since  Cooper's 
day  a  better  American  novel  dealing  with  a  purely  historical  theme  than 
'In  the  Valley.'" — Boston  Beacon. 

James  Anthony  Froude. 

The  Two  Chiefs  of  Dunboy.  An  Irish  Romance  of  the  Last 
Century.     i2mo,  paper,  50  cts.;  cloth,  $1.50. 

"  The  narrative  is  full  of  vigor,  spirit  and  dramatic  power.  It  will 
unquestionably  be  widely  read,  for  it  presents  a  vivid  and  life-like  study  of 
character  with  romantic  color,  and  adventurous  incident  for  the  back- 
ground."—  The  iVew  York  Tribune. 


4  SCRIBNER'S    BRIEF    LIST   OF    FICTION. 

Robert  Grant. 

Face  to  Face.  i2mo,  paper,  socts. ;  cloth,  $i  .25.  The  Reflec- 
tions of  a  Married  Man.     lamo,  paper,  qocts.;  cloth,  $1.00. 

"  In  the  '  Reflections,'  Mr.  Grant  has  given  us  a  capital  little  book  which 
should  easily  strike  up  literary  comradeship  with  '  The  Reveries  of  a 
Bachelor.'  "  — Boston    Tratiscript. 

Edward  Everett  Hale. 

Philip  Nolan's  Friends.    Illust'd.   i2mo,  paper,  5octs.;  cloth, $1.50. 

"  There  is  no  question,  we  think,  that  this  is  Mr.  Hale's  comple;est  and 
best  novel." — The  Atlantic  Monthly. 

Marion  Harland. 

Judith.  i2mo,  paper,  ^o  cts. ;  cloth,  $1.00.  Handicapped. 
i2mo,  $1.50.  With  the  Best  Intentions.  12010,  cloth,  $1.00; 
paper,  50  cts. 

"  Fiction  has  afforded  no  more  charming  glimpses  of  old  Virginia  life 
than  are  found  in  this  delightful  story,  with  its  quaint  pictures,  its  admir- 
ably drawn  characters,  its  wit,  and  its  frankness." 

—  The  Brooklyn  Daily   Times. 

Joel  Chandler  Harris. 

Free  Joe,  and  Other  Georgian  Sketches.  i2mo,  paper,  50  cts.; 
cloth,  $1.00. 

"  The  author's  skill  as  a  story  writer  has  never  been  more  felicitously 
illustrated  than  in  this  volume." — The  New  York  Sun. 

Augustus  Allen  Hayes. 

The  Jesuit's  Ring;     i2mo,  paper,  50  cts. ;  cloth,  $1.00. 
"  The  conception  of  the  story  is  excellent." — The  Boston   Traveller. 

George  A.  Hibbard. 

The  Governor,  and  Other  Stories.  i2mo,  cloth,  $1.00;  paper, 
50  cts. 

"It  is  still  often  urged  that,  except  in  remote  corners,  there  is  nothing 
in  our  American  life  which  appeals  to  the  artistic  sense,  but  certamly  these 
stories  are  American  to  the  core,  and  yet  the  artistic  sense  is  strong  in  them 
throughout. " — Critic. 

E.   T.  IV.  Hoffmann. 

Weird  Tales.     With  Portrait.      !2mo,  2  vols.,  $3.00. 

"All  those  who  are  in  search  of  a  genuine  literary  sensation,  or  who 
care  for  the  marvelous  and  supernatural,  will  find  these  two  volumes  fas- 
cinating reading." —  The  Christian  Union. 


SCRIBNER'S    BRIEF    LIST   OF    FICTION.  5 

Dr.  J.  G.  Holland. 

Sevenoaks.  The  Bay  Path.   Arthur  Bonnicastle.   Miss  Gilbert's 
Career.     Nicholas  Minturni     Each,  121110,  $1.25;  the  set,  $0. 2s- 
Sevenoaks  and  Arthur  Bonnicastle.    Each,  paper,  50c. 

"Dr.  Holland  will  always  find  a  congenial  audience  in  the  homes  of 
culture  and  refinement.  He  does  not  affect  the  play  of  the  darker  and 
fiercer  passions,  but  delights  in  the  sweet  images  that  cluster  around  the 
domestic  hearth.  He  cherishes  a  strong  fellow-feeling  with  the  pure  and 
tranquil  life  in  the  modest  social  circles  of  the  American  people,  and  has 
thus  w  iw  his  way  to  the  companionship  of  many  friendly  hearts." 

—  The  New  York  Tribune. 

Thomas  A.  Janvier. 

Color  Studies,  and  a  Mexican  Campaign.     i2mo,  paper,  50  cts. ; 

cloth,  $1.00. 

"Piquant,  novel  and  ingenious,  these  little  stories,  with  all  their  simplicity, 

have  excited  a  wide  interest.     The  best  of  them,   'Jaune  D'Antimoine,'  is 

a  little  wonder  in  its  dramatic  effect,  its  ingenious  construction." — Critic. 

Andrew  Lang. 

The  Mark  of  Cain.     i2mo,  paper,  25  cts. 
"  No  one  can  deny  that  it  is  crammed  as  full  of  incident  as  it  will  hold, 
or  that  the  elaborate  plot  is  worked  out  with  most  ingenious  perspicuity." 

—  The  Saturday  Review. 

George  P.  Lathrop. 

Newport.   i2mo,  paper,  50  cts. ;  cloth,  $1. 2s.   An  Echo  of  Passion. 
i2mo,  paper,  50  cts.;   cloth,  §1.00.      In  the  Distance.     i2mo, 
paper,  50  cts. ;  cloth,  $1.00. 
"  His  novels   have   the  refinement   of  motive  which   characterize   the 
analytical  school,  but  his  manner  is  far  more  direct  and  dramatic." 

—  The  Christian  Union. 

Brander  Matthews. 

The  Secret  of  the  Sea,  and  Other  Stories,     i2mo,  paper,  50  cts.; 

cloth,  $1.00.     The  Last  Meeting.     i2mo,  cloth,  $1.00. 

"  Mr.  Matthews  is  a  man  of  wide  observation  and  of  much  familiarity 

with  the  world.     His  literary  style  is  bright  and  crisp,  with  a  peculiar 

sparkle  about  it — wit  and  humor  judiciously  mingled — which  renders  his 

pages  more  than  ordinarily  interesting." — The  Rochester  Post-Express. 

George  Moore. 

Vain  Fortune,     ismo,  $1.00. 
"How  a  woman's  previous  ideas  and  actions  will  completely  change 
when  the  medium  of  a  wild,  intense  love  is  interposed,  was  never  more 
skilfully  sketched." — Boston  Times. 


6  SCRIBNER'S    BRIEF    LIST   OF    FICTION. 

Fiti-James  O'Brien. 

The  Diamond  Lens,  with  Other  Stories.     i2mo,  paper,  50  cts. 

"These  stories  are  the  only  things  in  literature  to  be  compared  with 
Poe's  work,  and  if  they  do  not  equal  it  in  workmanship,  they  certainly  do 
not  yield  to  it  in  originality." — TAe  Philadelphia  Record. 

Duffield  Osborne. 

The  Spell  of  Ashtaroth.     i2mo,  $1.00. 

"  It  has  a  simple  but  picturesque  plot,  and  the  story  is  told  in  a  vividly 
dramatic  way." — Chicago  Times. 

Bliss  Perry. 

The  Broughton  House.     i2mo,  $1.25. 

"  A  wonderfully  shrewd  and  vivid  picture  of  life  in  one  of  our  hill 
towns  in  summer." — IJariforJ  Post. 

Thomas  Nelson  Page. 

In  Old  Virginia.  Marse  Chan  and  Other  Stories.  i2mo,  $1.25. 
On  Newfound  River*  i2mo,  Si.oo.  Elsket,  and  Other  Stories. 
i2mo,$i.oo.     Marse  Chan.    Ills,  by  Smedley.    Sq.i2mo.    $1.50. 

"Mr.  Page  enjoys  the  distinction  of  having  written  the  most  exquisite 
story  of  the  war  ('  Marse  Chan  '),  which  has  yet  appeared.  His  stories 
are  beautiful  and  faithful  pictures  of  a  society  now  become  a  portion  and 
parcel  of  the  irrevocable  past." — Harper's  Magazine, 

George  I.  Putnam. 

In  Blue  Uniform;     12010,  $1.00., 

The  author  of  this  love  story,  who  is  an  ex-army  officer,  has  given  a 
very  natural  picture  of  garrison  life  in  the  Far  West,  with  strong  character 
studies,  and  a  sufficient  diversity  of  incident  to  give  movement  and  cumu- 
lative interest  to  the  tale. 

Saxe  Holm's  Stories. 

First  Series.  Second  Series.   Each,  i2mo,  paper,  50c;  cloth,  Si. 00. 

"  Saxe  Holm's  characters  are  strongly  drawn,  and  she  goes  right  to  the 
heart  of  human  experience,  as  one  who  knows  the  way.  We  heartily 
commend  them  as  vigorous,  wholesome,  and  sufficiently  exciting  stories." 

—  The  Advance. 


SCRIBNER'S    BRIEF   LIST   OF    FICTION.  7 

Stories  from  Scribner. 

Stories  of  New  York.  Illustrated.  From  Four  to  Six,  by  Annie 
Eliot  ;  The  Commonest  Possible  Story,  by  Bliss  Perry;  The  End  of 
the  Beginning,  by  George  A.  Hibbard  ;  A  Puritan  Ingenue,  by 
John  S.  Wood  ;  Mrs.  Manstey's  View,  by  Edith  Wharton. 

Stories  of  the  Railway^     Illustrated.     As  the  Sparks  Fly  Upward, 
by  George  A.   Hibbard;   How   I   Sent  My  Aunt  to  Baltimore,  by 
Charles  S.    Davison  ;    Run  to  Seed,   by   Thomas   Nelson    Page  ; 
Flandroe's   Mogul,   by  A.   C.    Gordon. 
In  Press :        Stories  of  the  South.  Stories  of  Italy. 

Stories  of  the  Sea:  Stories  of  the  Army. 

Illustrated.     Each,  i6mo,  paper,  50  cts. ;  cloth,  75  cts. ;  half  calf,  $1.50. 

The   stories   in   these   attractive   little   volumes   are   among   the   most 

popular  of  those  that  have  been  published  in  "  Scribner's  Magazine."   They 

are  daintily  bound,  and  fully  and  beautifully  illustrated. 

Robert  Louis  Stevenson. 

Strange    Case  of   Dr.    Jekyll    and    Mr.    Hyde.     i2mo,  paper, 

25  cts.;  cloth,  $1.00.     Kidnapped.     i2mo,  paper,  50  cts. ;  cloth, 

ill,   $1.25.      The    Merry    Men,   and   Other   Tales   and    Fables. 

i2mo,   paper,  35   cts.;    cloth,  $1.00.      New    Arabian    NightS: 

i2mo,  paper,  30  cts.;   cloth,   Si. 00.     The  Dynamiter.     i2mo, 

paper,  30  cts.;  cloth,  $1.00.     The  Black   Arrow.     III.     i2mo, 

paper,  50  cts  ;  cloth,  $1.00.     The  Wrong  Box.     i2mo,  paper, 

50  cts. ;  cloth,  $1.00.    The  Master  of  Ballantrae.     i2mo,  paper, 

50  cts.;   cloth,  ill.,  $1.2^.     The  Wrecker.     i2mo,  ill.,  $1.25. 

Island  Nights'  Entertainments.     i2mo,  ill.,  $1.25. 

"Stevenson  belongs  to  the  romantic  school  of  fiction  writers.     He  is 

original  in  style,  charming,   fascinating,  and  delicious,  with  a  marvelous 

command  of  words,  and  with  a  manner  ever  delightful  and  magnetic." 

— Boston   Transcript. 

Charles  Warren  Stoddard. 

South  Sea  Idyls.     i2mo,  $1.50. 
"Brimful  of  delicious  descriptions  of  South   Sea   Island  life.     Neither 
Loti  nor  Stevenson  has  expressed  from  tropical  life  the  luscious,  fruity 
delicacy,  or  the  rich  wine-like  bouquet  of  these  sketches." — Independent. 

T.  R.  Sullivan. 

Day  and    Night   Stories.     First  and  Second  Series.     Each,   i2mo, 

cloth,  $1.00  ;  paper,  50  cts.     Roses  of  Shadow.     i2mo,  $1.00. 

"  Mr.    Sullivan's  style  is  at  once    easy  and  refined,    conveying    most 

happily  that  atmosphere  of  good  breeding  and  polite  society  which  is 

indispensable  to   the   novel  of  manners,   but   which   so   many  of  them 

lamentably  fail  of." — The  Nation. 


8  SCRIBNER'S    BRIEF    LIST   OF    FICTION. 

Frederick  J.  Stimson  (J.  S.  of  Dale). 

Guerndale.  i2mo,  paper,  tiocts. ;  cloth,  $i  .25,  The  Crime  of 
Henry  Vane.  i2mo,  paper,  50  cts. ;  cloth,  $1.00.  The  Senti- 
mental  Calendar.  111.  i2mo,  $1.00.  First  Harvest.  i2mo, 
$1.25.  The  Residuary  Legatee.  i2mo,  paper,  3,  cts.;  cloth, 
$1.00.  In  the  Three  Zones.  i2mo,  $1.00. 
"  No  young  novelist  in  this  country  seems  better  equipped  tlian  Mr. 
Stimson  is." — The  Philadelphia  Bulletin, 

Frank  R.  Stockton. 

Rudder  Grange.  i2mo,  paper,  60  cts.;  cloth,  $1.25;  illustrated  by 
A.  B.  Frost,  Sq.  i2mo,  $2.00.  The  Late  Mrs;  Null,  i2mo, 
paper,  50  cts.;  cloth,  $1.25.     The  Lady,  or  The   Tiger?   and 

Other  Stories.     i2mo,  paper,  50  cts.;  cloth,  $1.25.     The  Christ- 
mas Wreck,   and  Other  Stories.      i2mo,  paper,   so  cts.;    cloth, 
Si. 25.    The  Bee-Man  of  Orn,  and  Other  Fanciful  Tales.     i2mo, 
doth,  $1.25.      Amos   Kilbright,  with    Other    Stories.       i2mo, 
paper,  sects.;  cloth,  $i.2s.      The  Rudder  Grangers  Abroad, 
and  Other  Stories.      i2mo,  paper,  sects  ;  cloth,  $1.25. 
"Of  Mr.  Stockton's  stories  what  is  there  to  say,  but  that  they  are  an 
unmixed  blessing  and  delight?     He  is  surely  one  of  the  most  inventive  of 
talents,  discovering  not  only  a  new  kind  in  humor  and  fancy,  but  accumu- 
lating an  inexhaustible  wealth  of  details  in  each  fresh  achievement,  the 
least  of  which  would  be  riches  from  another  hand." — W.  D.  Howells, 

Stories  by  American  Authors. 

Cloth,  ibmo,  JO  cts.  each;   set,   10  vols.,  %j.oo;  cabinet  edition, 
in  sets  only,  %'j.jo. 
"  The  public  ought  to  appreciate  the  value  of  this  series,  which  is  pre- 
serving permanently  in  American  literature  short  stories  that  have  con- 
tributed to  its  advancement." — The  Boston  Globe. 

Octave  Thanet. 

Expiation.  Illustrated  by  A.  B."  Frost.  i2mo,  paper,  so  cts.; 
cloth,  $1.00.  Stories  of  a  Western  Town.  i2mo.  Illustrated 
by  A.  B.  Frost.  $1.25. 

Octave  Thanet  has  in  this  new  book  of  Western  stories  a  completely 
fresh  field,  in  which  she  has  done  her  finest  work.  These  stories  portray 
the  types  and  conditions  of  life  in  the  thriving,  pushing  towns  of  the  great 
Central  Western  States  with  knowledge,  sympathy  and  a  fine  literary  art. 

John  T.  Wheelwright. 

A  Child  of  the  Century.     i2mo,  paper,  so  cts. ;  cloth,  $1.00. 
"  A  typijal  story  of  political  and  social  life,  free  from  cynicism  of  morbid 
realism,  and  brimming  over  with  fun." — l^ie  Christian  at   JVork. 


FAMOUS    WOMEN    OF    THE 
FRENCH    COURT 


CHARLES   SCRIBNER'S   SONS,   PUBLISHERS 


FORMER  series  of  M.  Imbert  de  Saint-Amand's  historical 
works  have  depicted  the  great  French  historical  epochs 
of  modern  times.  The  stirring  events  of  the  Revolution,  of  the 
Consulate  and  Empire,  and  of  the  Restoration  period,  ending  with 
the  July  revolution  of  1830  and  the  accession  of  Louis  Philippe, 
are  grouped  around  the  attractive  personalities  of  Marie  An- 
toinette, the  Empresses  Josephine  and  Marie  Louise,  and  the 
Duchesses  of  Angouleme  and  of  Berry.  The  remarkable  and 
uniform  success  of  these  works  has  induced  the  publishers  to  un- 
dertake the  translation  and  publication  of  a  previous  series  of  M. 
de  Saint-Amand's  volumes  which  deal  with  epochs  more  remote, 
but  not  for  that  reason  less  important,  interesting,  or  instructive. 
The  distinction  of  the  cycle  now  begun  with  the  "Women  of  the 
Valois  Court"  and  ending  with  "The  Last  Years  of  Louis  XV.," 
is  that,  whereas  in  former  series  several  volumes  have  been  de- 
voted to  the  historical  events  associated  with  each  of  the  titular 
personalities  to  which  they  were  closely  related,  in  the  present 
instance  a  more  condensed  method  is  followed.  The  color  of 
the  present  series  is  more  personal,  and  therefore  more  romantic, 
as  is  to  be  expected  in  the  annals  of  a  period  during  which  the 
famous  women  of  the  French  Court  were  not  only  more  numer- 
ous but  more  influential  than  their  successors  of  later  times. 
The  dawn  of  the  modern  era,  chronicled  in  M.  de  Saint-Amand's 
"Marie  Antoinette  and  the  End  of  the  Old  Regime''  was  the 
beginning  of  the  extinction  of  the  feminine  influence  that  flour- 
ished vigorously  in  affairs  of  state  from  Marguerite  of  Angouleme 
to  Madame  Dubarry.  It  is  the  history  of  this  influence  that  the 
author  has  graphically  written  in  the  four  volumes  now  announced 
—  "Women  of  the  Valois  Court,"  "  The  Court  of  Louis  XIV.," 
and  "The  Court  of  Louis  XV.,"  and  "The  Last  Years  of  Louis  XV." 


FAMOUS    WOMEN   OF   THE   FRENCH   COURT 

The  first  volume  is  devoted  to  Marguerite  of  Angouleme  and 
Catherine  de'  Medici  and  their  contemporaries  at  the  French 
court  during  the  days  of  the  last  of  the  Valois  —  the  most  ro- 
mantic period  of  royalty  probably  in  all  history.  The  two  principal 
figures  are  depicted  with  striking  vividness,  —  the  half  Catholic, 
half  Protestant  sister  of  Francis  I.,  the  grandmother  of  Henry 
IV.,  the  author  of  the  famous  "  Heptameron,"  and  one  of  the  most 
admirable  historical  figures  of  any  epoch ;  and  the  diplomatic, 
ambitious,  unscrupulous  but  extremely  human  Catherine,  univer- 
sally held  responsible  for  the  awful  Massacre  of  Saint  Bartholo- 
mew. But  the  subordinate  though  scarcely  less  famous  women 
who  adorned  the  Valois  Court  —  Diane  de  Poitiers,  the  Duchess 
d'Etampes,  Marguerite  of  Valois,  Marie  Stuart,  and  others  — 
are  described  with  an  equally  brilliant  and  illuminating  touch. 

The  volumes  on  the  women  of  the  great  Bourbon  epoch, 
the  epoch  of  Louis  XIV.  and  Louis  XV.,  when  the  Bourbon 
star  was  in  the  zenith,  contain  a  great  deal  of  intimate  history 
as  well  as  setting  in  relief  the  interesting  personalities  of  the 
famous  La  Valliere  and  Montespan  and  that  perennial  historical 
enigma,  Madame  de  Maintenon,  in  the  volume  devoted  to  the 
court  of  the  "  Sun  King,"  and  those  of  Madame  de  Pompadour, 
Madame  Dubarry,  Queen  Marie  Leczinski,  and  other  celebrities 
who  made  Versailles  what  it  was  during  the  long  and  varied 
reign  of  Louis  XV.  The  study  of  Madame  de  Maintenon  is  a 
real  contribution  to  history,  and  the  pictures  of  the  clever  and 
dazzling  beauties  who  controlled  so  long  the  destinies  not  only 
of  France  but  measurably  of  Europe  itself  from  the  accession  of 
"le  Grand  Monarque"  to  the  first  threatenings  of  the  Revolution 
"  deluge  "  are  extremely  lifelike  and  skilfully  executed.  The  his- 
torical chronicle  of  the  time  is  by  no  means  lost  sight  of  by  the 
author,  but  in  this  series  even  more  than  in  his  works  heretofore 
published  in  English  he  appears  not  only  as  an  interesting  and 
impartial  historian,  but  as  a  brilliant  historical  portraitist. 

FOUR    NEW   VOLUMES. 

WOMEN   OF  THE  VALOIS   AND   VERSAILLES   COURTS. 

Each  ivith  Portraits,  $1.25.    Price  per  set,  m  box,  cloth,  $5.00;  half  calf ,  gio.oo. 
WOMEN    OF  THE   VALOIS  COURT. 

THE   COURT   OF   LOUIS   XIV.  Ingress. 

THE   COURT   OF   LOUIS    XV.  In  press. 

THE   LAST   YEARS  OF   LOUIS  XV.  In  press. 


FAMOUS   WOMEN  OF   THE  FRENCH  COURT 


VOLUMES   PREVIOUSLY   ISSUED. 


THREE   VOLUMES  ON  MARIE  ANTOINETTE. 

Each  with  Portrait,  $1.25.     Price  per  set,  in  box,  cloth,  $3.75;  half  calf,  $7.50. 
MARIE   ANTOINETTE   AND   THE    END    OF   THE   OLD    RE'GIME. 
MARIE   ANTOINETTE   AT   THE   TUILERIES. 
MARIE  ANTOINETTE  AND   THE    DOWNFALL  OF   ROYALTY. 

In  this  series  is  unfolded  the  tremendous  panorama  of  political  events  in 
which  the  unfortunate  Queen  had  so  influential  a  share,  beginning  with  the  days 
immediately  preceding  the  Revolution,  when  court  life  at  Versailles  was  so  gay  and 
unsuspecting,  continuing  with  the  enforced  journey  of  the  royal  family  to  Paris,  and 
the  agitating  months  passed  in  the  Tuileries,  and  concluding  with  the  abolition  of 
royalty,  the  proclamation  of  the  Republic,  and  the  imprisonment  of  the  royal  family, 
—  the  initial  stage  of  their  progress  to  the  guillotine. 

THREE    VOLUMES  ON    THE  EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE. 
Each  ivith  Portrait,  $1.25.     Price  per  set,  in  box,  cloth,  $3.75;   half  calf,  $7.50. 
CITIZENESS    BONAPARTE. 
THE   WIFE   OF   THE    FIRST   CONSUL. 
THE  COURT  OF  THE    EMPRESS  JOSEPHINE. 

The  romantic  and  eventful  period  beginning  with  Josephine's  marriage,  com- 
prises the  astonishing  Italian  campaign,  the  Egyptian  expedition,  the  coup  d'etat  of 
Brumaire,  and  is  described  in  the  first  of  the  above  volumes;  while  the  second  treats 
of  the  brilliant  society  which  issued  from  the  chaos  of  the  Revolution,  and  over 
which  Madame  Bonaparte  presided  so  charmingly;  and  the  third,  of  the  events 
between  the  assumption  of  the  imperial  title  by  Napoleon  and  the  end  of  1807, 
including,  of  course,  the  Austerlitz  campaign. 

FOUR   VOLUMES  ON   THE  EMPRESS   MARIE  LOUISE. 
Each  with  Portrait,  $1.25.     Price  per  set,  in  box,  cloth,  $5.00;  half  calf ,  $10.00. 
THE   HAPPY   DAYS   OF   MARIE    LOUISE. 

MARIE    LOUISE   AND   THE    DECADENCE   OF   THE    EMPIRE. 
MARIE    LOUISE  AND   THE    INVASION    OF   1814. 
MARIE  LOUISE,  THE  RETURN  FROM   ELBA,  AND  THE  HUNDRED  DAYS. 

The  auspicious  marriage  of  the  Archduchess  Marie  Louise  to  the  master  of 
Europe;  the  Russian  invasion,  with  its  disastrous  conclusion  a  few  years  later;  the 
Dresden  and  Leipsic  campaign;  the  invasion  of  France  by  the  Allies,  and  the  mar- 
vellous military  strategy  of  Napoleon  in  1814,  ending  only  with  his  defeat  and  exile 
to  Elba;  his  life  in  his  little  principality;  his  romantic  escape  and  dramatic  return  to 
France;  the  preparations  of  the  Hundred  Days;  Waterloo  and  the  definitive  restora- 
tion of  Louis  XVIII.  closing  the  era  begun  in  1789,  with  "The  End  of  the  Old 
Regime,"  —  are  the  subjects  of  the  four  volumes  grouped  around  the  personality  of 
Marie  Louise. 


FAMOUS    WOMEN  OF   THE  FRENCH  COURT 

TWO   VOLUMES   ON    THE  DUCHESS  OF  ANGOULEME. 

Each  with  Portrait,  $1.25.     Price  per  set,  i}i  box,  cloth,  $2.50;  ha!/  calf,  $5.00. 

THE   YOUTH    OF  THE    DUCHESS   OF  ANGOULEME. 

THE    DUCHESS   OF   ANGOULEME   AND   THE   TWO    RESTORATIONS. 

The  period  covered  in  this  first  of  these  volumes  begins  with  the  life  of  the 
daughter  of  Louis  XVI.  and  Marie  Antoinette  imprisoned  in  the  Temple  after  the 
execution  of  her  parents,  and  ends  with  the  accession  of  Louis  XVIIL  after  the  abdica- 
tion of  Napoleon  at  Fontainebleau.  The  first  Restoration,  its  illusions,  the  characters 
of  Louis  XVIIL,  of  his  brother,  afterwards  Charles  X.,  of  the  Dukes  of  Angouleme 
and  Berry,  sons  of  the  latter,  the  life  of  the  Court,  the  feeling  of  the  city.  Napoleon's 
sudden  return  from  Elba,  the  Hundred  Days  from  the  Royalist  side,  the  second 
Restoration,  and  the  vengeance  taken  by  the  new  government  on  the  Imperialists, 
form  the  subject-matter  of  the  second  volume. 

THREE   VOLUMES   ON    THE  DUCHESS   OF  BERRY. 

Each  with  Portrait,  $1.25.     Price  per  set,  in  box,  cloth,  $3.75;  half  calf ,  $7.50. 

THE  DUCHESS  OF  BERRY  AND  THE  COURT  OF  LOUIS  XVill. 
THE  DUCHESS  OF  BERRY  AND  THE  COURT  OF  CHARLES  X. 
THE    DUCHESS    OF    BERRY    AND    THE   REVOLUTION    OF   JULY,   1830. 

The  Princess  Marie  Caroline,  of  Naples,  became,  upon  her  marriage  with  the 
Duke  of  Berry,  the  central  figure  of  the  French  Court  during  the  reigns  of  both 
Louis  XVIIL  and  Charles  X.  The  former  of  these  was  rendered  eventful  by  the 
assassination  of  her  husband  and  the  birth  of  her  son,  the  Count  of  Chambord,  and 
the  latter  was  from  the  first  marked  by  those  reactionary  tendencies  which  resulted 
in  the  dethronement  and  exile  of  the  Bourbons.  The  dramatic  Revolution  which 
brought  about  the  July  monarchy  of  Louis  Philippe,  has  never  been  more  vividly 
and  intelligently  described  than  in  the  last  volume  devoted  to  the  Duchess  of  Berry. 

"  In  these  translations  of  this  i)iteresting  series  of  sketches,  ive  have 
found  an  unexpected  atnoimt  of  pleasure  and  profit.  The  author  cites 
for  us  passages  from  forgotten  diaries,  hitherto  unearthed  letters,  extracts 
from  public  proceedings,  atid  the  like,  and  contrives  to  combine  and 
arrange  his  inaterial  so  as  to  tnake  a  great  many  very  vivid  and  pleas- 
ing pictures.  Nor  is  this  all.  The  material  he  lays  before  us  is  of  real 
value,  and  much,  if  not  tnost  of  it,  must  be  unknoion  save  to  the  special 
stztdents  of  the  period.  We  can,  therefore,  cordiclly  commend  these  books 
to  the  attention  of  our  readers.  They  luill  find  thevi  attractive  ijt  their 
arrangement,  never  dull,  with  much  variety  of  scene  and  incident,  and 
admirably  translated.''' — The  Nation,  of  Dece7nber  ig,  iSqo. 


RARE  BOOK 
COLLECTION 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT 

CHAPEL  HILL 

Wilmer 
890 


.',V? 


^^M*' 
■M^'^ 


